Des Moines police say officer lucky to be alive after shooting

Des Moines police say one of the two officers shot Monday evening in DesMoines is “lucky to be alive.” Officer Jeffrey Gowen and Officer Gary Bryanwere shot by a 16-year old after stopping the car the teen was riding in.Police spokesman Sergeant Bruce Elrod says the two policemen returned fire,wounding the suspect who police say is an habitual troublemaker. Elrod saysthe bullet hit officer Gowen just below his badge, hit a rib and angled up.Officer Gowen was NOT wearing a bullet-proof vest. He remains hospitalizedin stable condition. Officer Bryan was released. The suspect, SantosRodriguez, was critically wounded. Three other people in the car were alsoarrested. Elrod says the four people had been just committed a robbery andthat is apparently why they resisted. Elrod says officers were feeling a mixof emotions after hearing about the shooting.This is the fourth shooting involving Des Moines police this year. Elrodsays there is not necessarily more crime in Des Moines than anywhere else,as these type of shootings are happening all over the United States.The three suspects that were not involved in the shooting are being held onburglary and drug charges. Elrod says charges will be filed in connectionwith the shooting after the investigation is completed.