ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – Three officers were shot late Saturday evening in Fairview Heights while responding to calls for a suspicious individual in a neighborhood, according to the Fairview Heights Police Department. One suspect was arrested a short time later.

The three officers were shot just before 10 p.m. Saturday outside of homes on Potomac Drive and were rushed to area hospitals for treatment.

One officer was shot in the face and underwent emergency surgery. He is in critical but stable condition.

The second officer was shot in the arm where the bullet broke a bone. He also remains at the hospital for treatment.

A third officer appeared to have been shot in the back but the vest stopped the bullet. He was treated and released.
Two other officers sustained injuries fighting the suspect. They were treated at the hospital for these injuries and released.

The Fairview Heights Police Department says the suspect is in custody and the gun was recovered. Illinois State Police are leading the investigation to ensure impartiality.

There is no active threat to the community.

On Saturday evening at around 9:45 p.m., the Fairview Heights Police Department reported that officers responded to a “suspicious individual prowling around a nearby residence” and “made contact” with a person believed to match that description. The officers discovered it was possibly a domestic situation.

During the encounter, the confronted individual opened fire, striking multiple Fairview Heights officers.

“If it is your way, we ask for prayers for these Officers. They went on a call for service to help people and keep people safe. They ended up being shot and fighting for their lives for doing their job,” said Chief Steve Johnson in a press release.

The investigation is considered active and ongoing.