A Fort Worth police officer who was seriously injured in a shooting Tuesday in Haltom City continues to recover after reportedly having surgery Wednesday afternoon.
Fort Worth police say the injured officer is 21-year veteran and motorcycle officer John Bell. Bell, according to sources, was shot three times, once in the hand, hip and face.
Haltom City police and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office identified the suspect in the shooting as Cody Loron, 32. Loron does not have a home city, according to police.
The Medical Examiner's office said Loron died at John Peter Smith Hospital's emergency room at 5:44 p.m. on Wednesday, 45 minutes after the first call that an officer had been shot. Loron was shot multiple times in the torso and in the extremities.
Haltom City police said on Wednesday that they tried to pull over a vehicle as part of a narcotics investigation at about 4 p.m. The driver got out of the car and ran into a neighborhood in the 1900 block of Carson Street, just south of Highway 121.
Haltom City investigators, who are conducting the investigation along with the Texas Ranger Division of the Department of Public Safety, say three Fort Worth officers were at 2nd Opinion Auto on other business when they were notified of the manhunt. At that time, the officers began searching for the driver of the car.
As officers were looking through the auto shop's yard, Bell located Loron hiding in a truck in the back of the property near a fence and gate on Garden Street.
Haltom City police said Loron and Bell exchanged gunfire. Fort Worth police said Tuesday night that Bell was fired on first and then returned fire.
Haltom City said the investigation in the shooting continues.
Investigators were seen on Wednesday looking over evidence. It is still unknown how many shots were fired and by whom.
Fort Worth police had no comment on the investigation or the status of Bell on Wednesday.
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However, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price spoke about Bell at several events across town. She said she met with Bell's wife for several hours on Tuesday night.
"He's an incredible guy; he's one of our older offices, a Vietnam veteran," Price said. "If anyone can survive, it'll be Johnny and, certainly, he will. He's just an amazing man. As someone said (Tuesday) night -- 'a crusty personality.' He's a major asset for us. And everyone who knows him just loves him."
Price said Bell went into surgery at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and may need several more surgeries in the future. She said Bell's wife was shaken up, but that everyone is optimistic he will recover.
"Our prayers and thoughts are with Johnny and his family," the mayor said.
Bell remains at Harris Health Methodist Hospital in serious but stable condition, according to Price.
