Detroit Officer Pistol Whipped and Hospitalized, Suspect Shot

A Detroit police officer opened fire on a suspect who hit him in the head with a gun Thursday on the city’s northwest side, investigators say.

The officer and a colleague with the 8th Precinct were patrolling at about 8:40 p.m. when they noticed someone acting suspiciously, Capt. Darin Szilagy told reporters.

The man “produced a handgun and ultimately was able to swing it and strike our officer in the head,” the captain said. “Our officer, fearing for his life and his safety, produced his department weapon and returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.”

Backup officers took the suspect into custody and transported him to a hospital for treatment. The man, who has not been named, was listed in stable condition late Thursday, the Detroit News reports.

The officer also was hospitalized in stable condition with a head wound, Szilagy said. “We’re very thankful that the officer is going to recover.”