Police: Wanted man shoots officer, is shot in Kentucky park

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A man who shot a Kentucky police officer was wounded when authorities returned fire, officials said.

Louisville Metro Police approached the man “known to have warrants” at a park Sunday evening while basketball games were taking place, agency spokeswoman Alicia Smiley told news outlets.

The officer who was hit was wearing a ballistic vest and wasn’t seriously injured, but was evaluated at a hospital and released, police said.

Police later identified the man as Herbert Lee, 30, and said he was wanted on 12 warrants.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Erika Shields told news outlets during a press conference Monday that Lee fled on foot when approached by officers and fired one round during the pursuit, hitting an officer. She said officers returned fire and Lee kept running. At some point, there was a standoff and officers fired again, hitting Lee, she said.

Lee was hit several times in his extremities and is expected to recover, authorities said. He was in stable condition Monday at University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville police spokeswoman Elizabeth Ruoff said.

When released, Lee will face charges that include attempted murder of a police officer, fleeing police and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, Ruoff said.