Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - A police officer for the City of Tonawanda was shot multiple times overnight by a person who was involved in a shooting earlier in the night.
Detective David Ljiljanich is currently at ECMC recovering from their injuries after being shot twice in their protective vest and once in the hip and thigh. Ljiljanich is expected to survive.
After shooting Ljiljanich and at other officers, the shooter fled again into his car and down Morgan Street. During the police pursuit, shots were again fired towards other officers. The gunman threw his rifle out the window near Kohler Street. It was near there when police rammed into the backside of the car, stopping it.
Police arrested the gunman after the car stopped.
Foels said they've had previous encounters with the suspect, though he did not release his name since he has not yet been charged with the crimes.
More of the current crime scene at Morgan and Kohler. A neighbor told me that they heard four gunshots and saw officers arrest someone. However, they did not see a police officer get shot. We are still awaiting more info from police. Car is currently in process of being towed. pic.twitter.com/GIqNN3ibpe
— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman)
May 26, 2020 “It’s pretty fluid right now,” Foels said. “We’re trying to piece the whole sequence of events right now.”
An emotional Foels told WBEN's Mike Baggerman on the scene, "It was a first for me, over 30 years, first time I was ever shot at".
Foels was shot at three times. Among the other officers who were shot at include his nephew's who was involved in the chase. A bullet struck the door of the officer's car.
It was Foels who pulled the detective to safety.
"I got him behind my car and got him to safety," Foels said. "My car is shot up. My glass is out of my car."
In the City of Tonawanda, police are still investigating an overnight shooting that reportedly sent an officer to ECMC after being shot 4 times. Police are still looking at a car and weapon used in the incident that are still at the scene. pic.twitter.com/CgygbcppLg
— Brian Mazurowski (@BMaz1)
May 26, 2020 The victim of the original shooting is in serious condition at ECMC. The gunman is expected to be charged and officially arraigned on Wednesday.
