Pennsylvania police officer survives being shot 7 times; suspect arrested
FOLCROFT, Pa. -- A suspect who allegedly shot a Pennsylvania police officer seven times on Friday morning and opened fire on a second officer is under arrest.
The officer who was shot is identified as 25-year-old Officer Christopher Dorman. He is hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The suspect is identified as Dante Brooks Island. He will be charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and related offenses.
Island had been recently released from prison after serving time for firearms violations.
The shooting happened behind an apartment complex in the 1500 block of Elmwood Street around 10 a.m. Friday.
Authorities say Dorman was dispatched to the location for a report of a man dealing drugs.
Dorman arrived on the scene and confronted Island, police say. There was a struggle and Island allegedly drew his weapon and shot Dorman seven times.
Dorman was hit once in the face, four times in the chest, once in the groin and once in the leg.
WPVI obtained scanner audio of the police radio call, in which Dorman can be heard saying "I'm shot in the face! I'm shot in the face!" I'm shot! I'm shot! I'm shot!"
A second officer arrived on the scene, District Attorney Jack Whelan said, and Island allegedly shot at that officer. That officer was not hit.
A third officer managed to get Dorman into his police vehicle and rush him to the hospital.
"I was told by the doctors that 'thank God he had his vest on,' so apparently there may have been several shots to his vest," Chief Robert Ruskowski said at a news conference.
Tamika Dailey heard the shooting.
"Just heard shots, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop," she said. "I said, 'Oh my God, somebody's shooting!'"
Residents of the Elmwood Ave apartment building were evacuated as SWAT officers surrounded the building.
A state police helicopter was brought in to act as an "eye in the sky." As it flew overhead, a loud flash bang was fired.
SWAT officers moved quickly, taking Island and several women into custody.
As the officers stood down and departed, residents who had been watching applauded the police.
"We were applauding because they got somebody bad off the streets. If he's going to shoot at a cop, he's definitely going to shoot at innocent bystanders, and I live right there," said Denise Haley.
Dorman has been on the force for just over a year.
"Outstanding officer, I can't say enough about him," said Chief Ruskowski. "Outstanding."
Ruskowski said Dorman's mother and father are at the hospital.
