Manhunt launched for gunman who shot New Haven police captain
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut -- Police officers swarmed a New Haven neighborhood Tuesday searching for a gunman who wounded a high-ranking city police official after fatally shooting another man.
Capt. Anthony Duff was off duty and not in uniform Monday night when he came across a shooting involving two men in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Henry Street, authorities said. The gunman, after shooting the other man, opened fire on Duff as Duff chased him, hitting the captain multiple times, officials said. Police believe Duff fired his gun at the suspect.
Duff radioed to dispatchers to request backup and report he was wounded, Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said. Reyes said officers who responded to the scene saved Duff's life.
Duff, a 24-year veteran of New Haven police and the department's public information officer, was in stable condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery, police said.
Reyes said Tuesday afternoon that nearly the entire department was working to find the gunman.
"We will not tolerate gun violence in our city," the chief said. "I stand here with the men and women of this department to say to the individual who shot and murdered a community member on the street and the individual that almost murdered a police officer that we are going to expend every resource available to us to bring you to justice."
City officials also called in state police to help.
Officials said they had not confirmed the identity of the man killed in the shooting.
"Captain Duff is a police officer and a gentleman," said Mayor Toni Harp. "His off-duty decision last night to intervene when he happened upon a random, violent altercation speaks to his nonstop commitment to police work and his personal valor. I know I share with all New Haven residents a sincere desire for his continuing and thorough recovery."
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