Two police officers shot in Estación Central

SANTIAGO. -  Two police officers were injured by gunshots last night following a confrontation with four hooded individuals in the Villa Francia neighborhood of the municipality of Estación Central.

The officers were dispatched to a gas station located along Avenida 5 de Abril and 7 de Octubre after receiving reports of a possible robbery.  Upon arrival, three men and a woman opened fire on the patrol car.

The officers, who belong to the Santa Adriana Police Station, were attempting to ward off the attack when they received three gunshot wounds to their legs.

According to Metropolitan Police Chief Raúl Arellano, the officials “were guarding the gas station on the corner when they were attacked.

Due to their injuries, Officer Juan Silva Gallegos, 30, and Rodrigo Martínez Barra, 23, were transported for treatment to the National Police Hospital.

An intensive search effort has been launched to find those responsible for the shooting; although so far there have been no arrests.