A Lehigh Valley police officer and the man suspected of shooting him both were hospitalized after the search for clues into the death of a woman found stuffed into a recycling bin turned into a shootout and standoff.
The yet-to-be-identified Allentown Police officer was serving a search warrant related to the woman's death on the 600 block of Godfrey Street in Allentown shortly before 10 p.m. when the encountered gunfire, said Allentown Police Chief Keith Morris.
"They were met by gunfire, one of our officers was shot," said Morris.[[369124981, C]]
The officer was struck in the arm leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries at Lehigh Valley Hospital, said Morris.
Other officers fought back as the SWAT team was called in and neighbors were evacuated.
"There was an exchange of gunfire and the individual inside did receive wounds..." said Keith Morris. "After a brief standoff we were able to secure him inside the apartment and transport him for treatment as well."
Police didn't reveal the suspect's condition. [[369023391, C]]
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The shooting occurred less than two blocks away from where a woman's body was discovered in a recycling bin over the weekend The Lehigh County Coroner ruled the death a homicide since the woman had been shot multiple times but didn't reveal her identity.
Police have yet to announce any charges in either shooting.
The officer was treated and released early Wednesday.
"We're fortunate that our officer is OK," said Morris.[[369083401, C]]
A neighbor who asked not to be identified said a man and woman appeared to be staying at the apartment where the shootout took place.
Police spent Wednesday morning sorting through clues at the apartment left with shattered windows after the shootout.
