DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent attack on an off-duty police officer have confirmed the alleged attack that occurred Thursday night, according to Lawrence Police Department spokesperson Laura McCabe. Police have five suspect in custody.
Just before 2a.m. officers were dispatched to Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way on a disturbance with weapons call and quickly learned the potential victim was an off-duty officer.
The victim tells reported to police he was walking on a nearby sidewalk and saw a car pass by with several people inside. Moments later, the victim said he was surprised to see a man emerge from the tree line. The off-duty officer was unarmed. The victim says he walked by the man, but then turned around to see the man was swinging a crowbar at him.
The victim reported he was able to avoid getting hit and knocked the object out of the man’s hands. They struggled and when another man joined in, the victim says the first alleged assailant was able to grab the crowbar and hit him in the head, according to McCabe.
The group then took off in the same car the victim says he saw pass by before the altercation. As the victim fled, he says he heard gunshots, but was not hit.
Responding officers stopped the car a short time later, near Bob White Drive and Lake Alvamar Drive, and arrested four adults and one juvenile.
The crime scene was extensive because officers recovered evidence that had been potentially thrown from the vehicle, including a firearm.
The officer required treatment at the hospital for his injuries but will be ok, according to McCabe. Detectives in Lawrence Police Investigations Unit are still working to compile evidence and will send an affidavit to the District Attorney suggesting a variety of potential charges to include attempted murder.