Colorado Springs police officer shot while responding to call
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Update: As of Friday morning, Cem remains in critical condition with his family and friends by his side. The Colorado Springs Police Department reports Cem had some movement on both sides of his body overnight.
His family is very grateful for the continued support from the community. There will be another update this morning and KRDO will continue to keep you updated.
The accused shooter, 31-year-old Karrar Al Khammasi, missed a court appearance for a previous offense Friday morning, a day after the shooting.
He was wanted in court for possession of a weapon by a previous offender. KRDO was told he was not in court because he was still in the hospital.
His defense attorney for that case asked to be appointed to his new case. The judge revoked his bond because of violated conditions.
Al Khammasi's next court date is set for August 8 at 8:30 a.m.
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A Colorado Springs police officer was shot while responding to a call early Thursday morning and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The police dispatch center received multiple calls of shots fired before 3 a.m. Thursday on Bonfoy Ave. north of Platte. Officers arrived and found a suspect, who then pulled out a handgun and "shots were exchanged between the suspect and the police," according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. That's when a Colorado Springs police officer was hit.
Another officer was heard on emergency dispatch saying "officer down" and that one other officer "got a gunshot wound to the head" while calling for medical assistance.
The officer was identified as five-year veteran Cem Duzel with the Sand Creek division, CSPD Chief Pete Carey said during a news conference at 7 a.m. He previously made news for his help in rescuing a bear cub in 2015.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Duzel was "gravely wounded" and underwent surgery. He was last reported in critical condition.
At about 2:50 p.m., the El Paso County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as 31-year-old Karrar
Noaman Al Khammasi. His charges haven't been released yet.
Al Khammasi was also shot, but his injuries weren't life-threatening. It's not believed that there are any other suspects.
Al Khammasi has a history of arrests in El Paso County for charges ranging from assault to driving under the influence and escape. In January, he was arrested by CSPD after a brief standoff.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is investigating, but little information has been made available at this time.
Platte Ave. from Union Blvd. to Prairie Rd. was closed for most of the day Thursday but was reopened by the afternoon.
Earlier this year, an El Paso County deputy was fatally shot and several police officers were wounded in Colorado Springs while attempting to arrest an auto theft suspect.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to the KRDO networks for the latest information.
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