Officer shot, suspect seriously injured after police-involved shooting in Hickory

HICKORY, N.C. – A police officer was shot and a suspect is in critical condition after a police-involved shooting at a Hickory bar early Sunday morning, according to the Hickory Police Department.

Around 2 a.m., several officers went to the Gateway Pub on Highway 70 Southwest in Hickory regarding several shots fired, according to police.

Upon arrival, officers confronted an armed suspect and attempted to arrest him. As he did so, another gunman began shooting at police, hitting one of the officers twice, officials said.

Police said another officer returned fire and struck the second shooter, ending the exchange of gunfire. Life-saving measures were administered to the officer and suspect.

The officer was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center and is expected to be OK, officials said.

The suspect was flown to Carolinas Medical Center and is in critical condition.

The names of those involved in the incident have not been released at this time.

The shooting involving the officers is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Meanwhile, the initial shooting at the Gateway Pub remains under investigation by the Hickory Police Department.