CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Charleston police officer was shot during a struggle with a man in a stairwell at CAMC General Saturday afternoon, police chief Steve Cooper said.
The officer, who is expected to fully recover, responded to the hospital at around 2:30 p.m. after receiving word that a Montgomery police officer watching a prisoner at the hospital needed assistance.
Cooper said Brian Ogle of Tennessee was arrested in Montgomery earlier this week but required medical attention in connection with that arrest. Saturday afternoon Ogle ran out of his hospital room, Cooper said.
“He was running through the hospital naked causing a disturbance,” Cooper said.
When the Charleston officer arrived on the scene he and the Montgomery officer cornered Ogle in a stairwell and what followed is what Cooper describes as a “violent stuggle.”
Cooper said it appears Ogle was able to grab the Montgomery officer’s gun and shot the Charleston officer. Other Charleston officers quickly arrived and subdued Ogle.
Cooper said his officer, whose name hasn’t been released suffered a gunshot wound and a bad cut to his head. He’s being treated at CAMC.
“Thankfully he is okay and in good spirits,” Cooper said.
Ogle was further injured during the struggle and remains hospitalized and in custody. He’ll face a number of felony charges, Cooper said, which could include malicious assault and attempted murder.
Cooper said the officers were in the altercation with Ogle in an area the size of a phone booth. The close encounter could have produced a tragic result, he said.
“We’re extremely thankful the injury was minor and he’s going to be okay. We’re feeling very blessed things didn’t turn out worse,” Cooper said.