An Owensboro police officer is in stable condition and recovering after being shot Wednesday morning during investigation into a suspicious suspect.
According to a news release from Kentucky State Police, 23-year old Owensboro Police Officer Zachary Morris was investigating in the area of Hathaway and 6th Street in Owensboro for reports of a person breaking into parked vehicles. He located the suspect, who fled and Officer Morris pursued them before losing sight of them behind some houses.
While he was checking a fenced in area at 522 Hathaway, the homeowner of that residence shot at Officer Morris and struck him. Although he was wearing a ballistic vest, the bullet struck him in the lower abdomen.
Officer Morris is in Owensboro Health Hospital, listed in good condition and recovering from emergency surgery. Investigation determined he fired his duty weapon in the incident, but no one was injured by it.
At this point, the homeowner has not been charged.