INDIANAPOLIS -- An IMPD officer was shot in the back of the leg while trying to talk down a suicidal man from taking his own life Saturday evening.
The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m., on the 8700 block of Carver Drive.
The officer was responding to a call of a suicidal person.
When police arrived, they found a man in a car with a gun to his head. Police say they tried to make contact with the man, but he rolled up the windows of the car.
Officers requested a negotiator, and as they were in that process, the man suddenly exited the car while still armed with the gun.
An officer tried to use a Taser on the man, and when the probes made contact, the man fired a shot, hitting the officer in the leg.
The bullet went through the officer's leg, which police say is worse than it staying lodged inside the leg. Police on the scene used an emergency kit to treat the wound until an ambulance showed up, utilizing an Israeli tourniquet.
Officers then secured the suspect without further incident.
The officer was taken to a IU Health Methodist Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police identified the officer as Patrolman Donald Neal, an 8-year veteran who is assigned to the Southeast District Middle Shift.
He underwent surgery early Sunday morning and is expected to make a full recovery.
The suspected shooter is in custody, being questioned and provided social service treatment.
According to a release from IMPD, the officer helped save a life in the process.
"This is another example of the selfless acts of officers in saving the life of a suicidal man while risking their own lives. IMPD reminds anyone, or if you know someone, who may be suffering from thoughts of suicide, please get help by calling 2-1-1 the Connect2Help Hotline 24hrs a day."
#BREAKING: UPDATE Our officers saved a life today and one of officers sustained a gunshot injury as a result. #Thankful
— IMPD (@IMPD_News) July 17, 2016
#BREAKING: Officer has been injured in the back of the leg by gunfire. Officers were on-scene of a suicidal person at the time of shooting.
— IMPD (@IMPD_News) July 17, 2016
#UPDATE: If you are having or know someone who is having suicidal thoughts, please call 2-1-1 for help. #HelpIsOutThere
— IMPD (@IMPD_News) July 17, 2016
