A Bismarck police officer was involved in an altercation Sunday morning in which he shot a man who had attacked him.
Bismarck Police Chief Dan Donlin said the officer went to the Bismarck Motor Motel on east Main Avenue shortly before 10 am to follow-up an unrelated call.
"When the officer arrived in the parking lot, and before he could get out of his squad car, he was suddenly attacked by a male subject," Donlin said in a Facebook video. "He punched the officer repeatedly in the head, and started to gouge the officer's eyes, while the officer was still in the car."
Donlin said the officer fought back, and tried to tase the subject. That didn’t work.
"The officer then reached for his firearm, then shot the individual in the abdomen, in order to stop that attack," Donlin said.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The officer was also taken to the hospital for what Donlin said was a “serious eye injury.” The officer was treated and released.
Police have not released the name of the suspect or the officer involved. Donlin said the officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is the policy of the Department. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been called in.
