Erie police shot a carjacking suspect shortly after 4 a.m. on Friday after the suspect shot at officers near Fifth and State streets in downtown Erie, in the area where the main stage for the CelebrateErie festival has been set up for events that start on Friday evening, the city said.
The suspect is in stable condition at UPMC Hamot, the city said in a statement. No officers were injured.
The Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation, as is the protocol when an Erie police officer is involved in a shooting, the city said. Police did not identify the suspect.
The incident started when Erie police received a report shortly after 4 a.m. that an armed gunman had carjacked a victim, according to the city. The city did not say where the victim said the carjacking took place, but the city said officers “within minutes” spotted the car, which led police on a chase downtown.
According to the city: “The suspect crashed the vehicle into fencing set up for CelebrateErie. The suspect then exited the car and ran. Erie Police Department officers pursued the suspect on foot.
“The suspect then pulled out a gun and fired at officers and officers returned fire striking the suspect. Officers rendered aid to the suspect, picked him up and carried him to French Street outside of the CelebrateErie area to make it easier for the ambulance.”
The city said the CelebrateErie main stage area, on State Street between Fourth and Fifth streets, will be closed until the state police release the area as a crime scene.
CelebrateErie activities will still begin at 11 a.m., the city said. It said main stage shows are scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Police shoot carjacking suspect in shootout near CelebrateErie stage