Police: Off-duty officer shoots armed suspected shoplifter

WASHINGTON – Police in Washington say an off-duty officer shot a man suspected of shoplifting after the man produced a gun and failed to comply with the officer’s orders.

Police said in a statement that the shooting happened Sunday near Union Station. Police say an off-duty officer saw a man carrying objects in his arms and backpack and the officer attempted to stop the individual for shoplifting. It was not immediately known what items the suspect had taken.

Police say the suspect produced a firearm and that the officer shot the man when he failed to obey orders. Police say the suspect’s weapon was recovered from the scene and that he was taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

Police did not release the man’s name, age or race and did not identify the officer.