A Wilkes-Barre, PA, police officer was shot in the leg Sunday night during a traffic stop and despite being wounded was able to take the suspect into custody until other officers arrived.
The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department reports Officer Mathew Odgen was shot once in the leg. He was treated at an area hospital and released.
Police say officers spotted a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed at 11:27 p.m. It was being driven by a man they allege displayed a firearm he was illegally carrying while at a local nightclub. Police report as he left the club, he collided with several unoccupied vehicles but did not stop.
Ogden stopped the vehicle and approached the driver who immediately exited the vehicle.
The driver, who appeared highly intoxicated according to police, failed to comply with the officer’s commands and fell to the ground several times while attempting to flee. As the subject fell to the ground a final time, a weapon that he had in his possession discharged striking the officer.
The suspect was transported to police headquarters for processing and arraignment on charges related to the incident. The scene was secured by patrol officers and later processed by the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit. Wilkes-Barre Police recovered a firearm with one spent casing from the defendant.
