A police officer was shot in the arm by the driver of a stolen vehicle following a chase in Watauga late Monday, authorities confirmed.
Around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Watauga police PIO Jason Babcock said officers initially originally stopped a vehicle for speeding. When officers realized the car was stolen, a chase began.
The pursuit continued to Virgil R. Anthony Sr. Park in Watauga, where police said the driver of the stolen vehicle bailed out on foot.
Officers from North Richland Hills, Haltom City and Fort Worth assisted in the search. At one point, authorities collapsed their original search perimeter, but later in the night just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, officers located the man in the area.
During that encounter, Watauga police said an officer was shot in the arm.
"When the officers went to confront him, he drew a weapon and fired at the officers," Babcock said.
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He said officers did not return fire and the man fled on foot again.
Police said the wounded officer is expected to be OK and is being released from the hospital this morning.
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, multiple police units are still on scene through the storms looking for the man, who was last seen wearing an orange or red shirt.
A FWPD helicopter that was assisting in the search was grounded due to weather, officials said.
