UPDATE (11:00 p.m.) – The officer who was critically wounded during a pursuit Tuesday has been identified as Matthew Pearce. He is out of surgery and in the Intensive Care Unit at John Peter Smith Hospital, according Robert Earley the President and Chief Executive Officer at J.P.S. “Time at this point is our friend,” said Earley. “The longer that we have and the more recovery time, the better off this is going to be.”
Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald and Mayor Betsy Price thanked the dignitaries and the community for their outpouring of support. “In classic Fort Worth and Tarrant County fashion, people rally around those who are in need. We are very proud of the work our officers have done today to apprehend this suspect and keep our citizens safe,” said Price.
UPDATE (6:40 p.m.) – The man at the center of a massive search is in custody. Ed Russell McIver, Jr., was captured shortly after 6:30 p.m. Police said he took off into a wooded area during a pursuit Tuesday afternoon. A police officer and McIver’s father, Ed Russell McIver, Sr., were shot in an exchange of gunfire. McIver, Sr., died. The officer was rushed to John Peter Smith Hospital in critical condition.
UPDATE (5:45 p.m.) – Police in Fort Worth said the suspect, Ed Russell McIver, Jr., has not been captured, but he’s “contained” to a two square mile radius. “We have hundreds of officers here,” said Cpl. Tracey Knight. “We’re not going to leave until we find him.”
Police identified the deceased suspect as Ed Russell McIver, Sr., 42. He was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault – family violence, and two bail jumping warrants. A gun was found with McIver, Sr., according to Knight.
The father and son duo are accused of shooting and critically injuring an officer during a pursuit on the west side of town.
The officer is in surgery at John Peter Smith Hospital.
UPDATE (4:50 p.m.) – Police in Fort Worth have released the photo of the man at the center of a massive manhunt after an officer was shot. Ed Russell McIver Jr. is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as a bald, white man. He’s about 6’4″ and was wearing a dark-colored sleeveless shirt, according to police.
The officer is at John Peter Smith Hospital in critical condition. His wife, who is a nurse, is there with him.
UPDATE (4:40 p.m.) – “Let me first say that our officer is alive,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald. “Everyone here stands behind he and his family. We want to ensure that we respect their wishes. So, if any of you have any information as to the officer’s name we just ask that it not be released until we authorize it. Please respect the family’s wish. They’re still trying to contact members of the family that have not been notified as of yet.”
The officer was shot while pursuing two men in a heavily wooded area off of Long Vue Road in west Fort Worth on Tuesday. One of the suspects was killed, and the other is at-large.
The officer was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital with life-threatening injuries. “This job is tough. We all know it. We all know what we sign up for, but we don’t sign up for being shot,” said Chief Fitzgerald.
“We hope the people out there that are listening to this broadcast and understand the gravity of what happened today will make a phone call. Tell us if you see this person. Where he is. He is armed. He is dangerous. We want to ensure he is brought to justice,” pleaded Chief Fitzgerald. “If you get any information or anything whatsoever in reference to the male suspect involved in this that you present that information to your local law enforcement agency.”
Mayor Betsy Price joined Chief Fitzgerald for the news conference at John Peter Smith Hospital. She said the officer was doing “exactly what he was trained to do.” “I would ask the citizens of Fort Worth to continue to pray for this officer, for his family, and for all of our men and women in blue as they go about the business that they do every day of protecting all of us here in the City of Fort Worth.”
FT. WORTH (WBAP/KLIF) – A Ft. Worth police officer has been shot and is in critical condition.
It happened in the 3600 block of Long Vue Road in west Fort Worth after a short pursuit Tuesday afternoon. “When the pursuit ended, the suspects fled on foot out of the vehicle and into a wooded area,” said Cpl. Tracey Knight. “When the gunfire erupted, there were several officers in the area. They immediately began medical treatment and assistance to our officer.”
One suspect was shot and killed, according to Knight. Another suspect remains at large. “[The officer] has multiple gunshot wounds and I do not know what his status is at this time,” said Cpl. Knight. “…Everybody please pray.” The officer was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital.
The officer is part of a Fugitive Task Force and has been with the department since 2009. “Normally [they’re] in plain clothes, but they have heavily armored vests that say ‘POLICE’ on it,” added Cpl. Knight. “However, I do not know what they were wearing [today].”
People in the area are being asked to remain inside their homes.
Police agencies across North Texas took to social media to offer their support:
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