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Officer, suspect die in shootout

An officer injured in a shootout between police and two kidnapping suspects is rushed to an ambulance yesterday in Taichung. PHOTO: CNA

One Taichung police officer was killed and two were wounded by gunfire yesterday during their pursuit of two kidnapping suspects, one of whom also was fatally injured. The victim was later rescued and the other suspect is in police custody.

The incident took place at an empty apartment building on Dadun Road in Taichung around 11am when suspects Shih An-ming (施安明), 34, and Huang Chun-chieh (黃俊傑), 25, arrived at the site agreed on for payment of ransom.

The police tried to arrest them, but the suspects fled into an apartment and opened fire. At least 50 shots were exchanged, police said.

"We saved the victim, we nailed the suspects, but we also lost one of ours," said Lai Ching-shan (賴清山), Taichung Police Criminal Investigation Corps chief.

Lai confirmed that the victim, who was identified only as Huang, was later rescued from an abandoned house in rural Yunlin County. The victim said he owed money to the suspects.

Sergeant Lee Chin-fu (李進富) was shot in the chest and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. According to Lai, Lee was promoted to sergeant on May 5 after 17 years in the force.

Officer Yeh Hsi-tsai (葉錫財) was shot in the head. Lai said the bullet entered Yeh's left ear and exited through his right shoulder, and was reported to be in critical condition.

Detective Lin Wen-wu (林文武) suffered a minor injury to his left arm and was in stable condition.

Police said Shih was also the only armed suspect. Lee and Yeh were shot while chasing Shih, police said, and Lin was injured while he was trying to negotiate with Shih inside the empty apartment.

After Shih shot Lin, the SWAT team and other officers opened fire at Shih. Doctors said Shih was hit by at least 28 shots and was dead at the scene.
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