Baltimore Officer Shot and Saved by Armor, Suspect at Large

Baltimore Police are searching for an “armed and dangerous” West Baltimore man they say shot and wounded a police officer Tuesday night in Federal Hill.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Antonio Oliver Janifer, 28, in connection with the shooting in the 900 block of Light St., Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said during a Wednesday press conference.

The wounded officer, Joshua Jackson was released from Shock Trauma in “good condition” Harrison said.

The commissioner said the officer's body armor prevented more serious injury. "I have spoken with (Shock Trauma Physician-in-Chief Dr. Thomas) Scalea, who has given a good report and said the officer is well, that the bullet likely grazed the side of his abdomen and went in and out (did) not hit any organs and is likely to be treated without any surgery," Harrison said, according to WBAL .

Jackson did not fire his weapon at the suspect. The department has not yet reviewed body-worn camera footage of the incident, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Harrison said Tuesday night that the officer was shot after attempting to stop a man who had been driving erratically near Light and Lombard and Pratt streets. The officer tried to pull over the driver, believing he might have been intoxicated. After the officer activated his lights and sirens, the vehicle fled, Harrison said.

The officer followed the vehicle for several blocks before it crashed into a parked car. Harrison said the driver fled and the officer exited his patrol car when at some point, the man then turned and fired.

Harrison said the shooter then carjacked a blue Toyota Camry and fled the scene. Police believe he later carjacked a second vehicle.