A South Texas police officer has been shot following a pursuit and struggle with a suspect who authorities say was known to smuggle people across the border into the U.S.
Starr County District Attorney Omar Escobar Jr. tells The Monitor newspaper that the Rio Grande City officer was shot Wednesday while on assignment with a task force that targets drug-trafficking.
Escobar says investigators began pursuing the suspect in Jim Hogg County and followed him into Starr County where his vehicle struck another and came to a stop.
It appears the officer was shot with his own handgun when it discharged as he was on the ground struggling with the suspect. Escobar says the suspect was attempting to take the gun.
The officer was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover.
Charges were pending against the suspect.
