Pueblo officer, teen suspect injured in early morning shootout

A Pueblo police officer and a 16-year-old suspect were both injured Monday after a midnight car chase and shootout.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting and assault near Northern and Abriendo avenues at about 12:16 a.m. Monday, according to a news release from the Pueblo Police Department.

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The first Pueblo officer who arrived in the area spotted a suspect vehicle reportedly involved in an earlier assault at 4th Street and Glendale Avenue, about three miles away, according to the news release.

When more officers arrived on scene, the 16-year-old, who has not been publicly identified, got out of the suspect car and carjacked another vehicle at gunpoint, police said in the release.

Police said the teenager was a passenger in the vehicle, but how or if the driver was involved is unclear.

The 16-year-old shot a Pueblo officer who attempted to stop the stolen car before fleeing the area, police said. The injured officer is expected to survive.

Police said the early morning car chase spanned nearly four miles across Pueblo and ended with a shootout between officers and the teenager in the 4600 block of Thatcher Avenue, near the Pueblo Zoo.

The 16-year-old was shot at least once by officers and taken to the hospital by paramedics. He is expected to survive, police said.