WV Officer Shot in Face, Suspect in Custody

A Charleston, WV, police officer was reportedly shot in the face Tuesday afternoon while responding to a parking complaint. A wounded suspect is in custody.

“This afternoon, a Charleston police officer was shot while in the line of duty,” the city’s statement said. “The officer has been transported to the hospital and is in surgery at this time. We ask all Charleston residents to keep our officer and the entire Charleston Police Department in their thoughts and prayers. We will provide more information as it is available.”

Sgt. Brian Humphreys, spokesperson for the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, told WCHS the suspect was presumably shot by the officer. Details about what led to the shooting were not immediately available.

Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt and Mayor Amy Goodwin asked for prayers for the officer Tuesday evening.

Hunt said Officer Cassie Johnson was shot in what would normally be a fatal area, is "not out of the woods” but is currently recovering.