Police: Suspect critical after traffic stop shootout with officers

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- Wilmington police say a man is hospitalized after he allegedly opened fire on officers during a routine traffic stop.

Police say it was 4:53 p.m. Thursday when two officers stopped a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis with New Jersey tags in the unit block of Vandever Avenue in reference to a traffic violation.

"As an officer was attempting to remove an occupant of the vehicle, a struggle ensued - shots were fired at the officer the officer returned fire," said Sgt. Andrea Janvier, Wilmington Police.

The patrol officer, who hasn't been identified, was not injured.

The 24-year-old male suspect was struck in the neck and chest and was airlifted to Christiana Medical Center.

He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.

A female occupant of the car was taken in for questioning.

The incident happened just minutes before a pro-police rally was to take place about a mile away at Rodney Square.

A list of Delaware officers killed in the line of duty was displayed prominently at the rally.

A stretch limo at the event had letters on the window that read: "Police lives matter."

"Folks legitimately expressing support for the police but there's an antagonistic kind of atmosphere right now and it needs to be defused," said Pastor Derrick Johnson, Joshua Harvest Church.

Pastor Johnson says there's an undercurrent in cities like Wilmington fueled in the wake of the killings of black men at the hands of police in Missouri and New York City.

It's a climate he says needs to be addressed at the street level.

"Just feel bad about what's to come if we don't begin to heal and help police as oppose to being just solely critical," said Pastor Johnson.

As is routine with all police-involved shootings, the officer involved has been placed on desk duty.

The incident is under investigation.

Mayor Williams issued the following statement in response tot he incident:

"The incident last night reminds us that the work and service by the Wilmington Police Department is incredibly important to the safety of our citizens. This is also a moment to recognize the severity of the dangers police officers face daily in the line of duty. We rely on our public safety professionals to keep our citizens, neighborhoods, parks and city streets safe, and they work to do so with skillful professionalism. The Wilmington Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation of last night's shooting. Now is the time we must all come together and work collaboratively in the effort to build a safe and strong city."