Officer injured in bomb suspect’s arrest visits school

Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, left, hugs Jeremiah Butler Knight, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, during a visit to the school, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, left, hugs Jeremiah Butler Knight, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, during a visit to the school, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By Associated Press September 22, 2016 2 min read

LINDEN, N.J. (AP) – A police officer wounded in a shootout with the man charged with setting off bombs in New York City and New Jersey visited a school Thursday to thank students for their well wishes.

Patrolman Angel Padilla visited Linden School No. 5, where his grandson attends and where he volunteers with the school’s PTA.

Investigators say Padilla was shot in his bulletproof vest on Monday morning by Ahmad Khan Rahami during a shootout that led to Rahami’s capture.

One of the fifth grade students in the class asked Padilla how scared he was when he confronted the suspect.

“How scared was I? I was nervous. A bit nervous,” Padilla said.