Two officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect in Ferguson, Missouri, on Wednesday afternoon. 

St. Louis City Police Chief John Hayden said in a press conference that the cops spotted a car wanted for a homicide and followed the vehicle. When they approached the car, the occupants opened fire at them. While one officer was shot in the leg, the other was shot in the abdomen. Both of them were rushed to Barnes-Jewish Hospital for treatment.

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Hayden said the cop shot in the abdomen was in a critical and unstable condition. He is reportedly in his mid-20s and has been with the department for over three years. 

“We’re hearing about critical incidents daily. The officers are working hard, very dedicated, trying to keep people safe and the hazards are what we face today,” Hayden said.

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Several police vehicles and cops were seen standing outside the hospital’s emergency department on Wednesday afternoon. 

“I’m asking for the public to pray for our officer. This is a rough time, we just got officers struck by a car the other day, and in fact, one of them is here,” a teary-eyed Hayden said. 

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones has also arrived at the hospital.

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Meanwhile, the intersection of the shooting scene was taped off and St. Louis County police tweeted asking people to avoid that area.

“Pls avoid the area of W. Florissant & Northwinds Estates Drive. Our officers are on the scene of a shooting involving two officers. We will have more details as they become available,” the tweet said.

Meanwhile, the Urban League, which has an office at the intersection where the shooting took place, said five employees were inside the building at the time but no one was injured.

“The Urban League family is deeply grieved by the events of today. Our thoughts our prayers are with the family of the officers injured and we pray for their complete recovery,” President and CEO Michael P. McMillan said, KMOV reported.

This is a developing story