Memphis Police investigate the scene where an officer was shot when another officer tried to shoot a pit bull during the search of a home Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 while attempting to serve a search warrant on the 500 block of Arrington in North Memphis, Tenn. The officer was transported to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.MEMPHIS - Memphis police say a police officer was shot when another officer tried to shoot a pit bull during the search of a home.
Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong told The Commercial Appeal that officers were executing a search warrant around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday when they were confronted by a pit bull at a home in north Memphis.
He said one of the officers attempted to shoot the dog, but missed and hit Officer Willie Bryant, 32.
Armstrong said Bryant is in surgery and is listed in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center. Officers blocked off city streets for the ambulance carrying Bryant.
Police have not released the name of the officer who shot Bryant, but said the officer has been relieved of duty pending the investigation into the shooting.
Bryant has been with the department since 2003 and is a member of the Organized Crime Unit. He was wearing a protective vest at the time. A multi-jurisdictional gang unit task force was serving the warrant.