SCRANTON, Pa. — A Scranton police officer is in "critical but stable" condition at a hospital following a shooting Thursday morning in the city's West Side, state police Major Michael Carroll said.
The wounded officer, who was not identified at a Thursday afternoon news conference, was injured by gunfire exchanged just before 5 a.m. on the 500 block of Hyde Park. A suspect in the shooting was also injured and is likewise in "critical but stable" condition, Carroll said.
There was a large police presence near the intersection of North Main Avenue and Swetland Street in Scranton early Thursday. Several streets in the area have been blocked off. Police on the scene are focusing on the section of Swetland Street at North Decker Court.
At 8:20 a.m., the 911 center issued a lookout for a 19-year-old man wanted for questioning.
Charges have been filed against Jeremiah Cleveland, 19, from Mayfield, for who was responsible for the shots fired at residences in the Hill Section and South Scranton.
The charges against Cleveland include discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, a firearm carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person, and criminal use of a communication facility.
A state police helicopter was seen circling the West Scranton neighborhood.
The shooting Thursday is tied to two gang-related gunfire incidents hours earlier in Scranton, Carroll said. Troopers said shots were fired on the 400 block of Harrison Avenue and the 300 block of Prospect Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Someone whom police believe was involved in those shootings was found on the 500 block of North Hyde Park Avenue just before 5 a.m.
Gunfire rang out.
West Side resident Mike Mancini woke up shortly before 5 a.m. and heard what sounded like 15 gunshots, Mancini said. He walked outside as more police officers rushed to the scene.
"Officer down," came the cry, he said.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti said that the officer was out of surgery by late Thursday morning. She says she now has hope for this officer, something she didn't have three hours ago.
"God is hearing our prayers, please keep praying," Dennis D'Augostine, the police department's chaplain, posted on social media.
The Lackawanna County district attorney's office confirmed a suspect was shot by another police officer and was also brought to the hospital.
Hospital officials said that the emergency department and intensive care unit were put in lockdown as a precaution. That lifted as of about 4 p.m. It did not impact patient care or daily operations.
Two people were taken into custody on Landis Avenue in Scranton's west side around 10 a.m. Officers have not said if that is related to the shooting.
Investigators are still working to identify everyone that was involved, Carroll said.
Asked if he believed any threat existed for the public, Carroll said the public should take "caution" though stressed the earlier shootings in the city appeared to target other gang members.
State police ask anyone with information to call 570-963-3156 to submit details anonymously.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Scranton police HERE.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.