Surgeon gives update on Baltimore officer shot in head

BALTIMORE (WJZ/CNN) – Police in Baltimore launched a massive ground and air search for a suspect they say shot an 18-year veteran of the force in the head, gravely wounding him.

The injured homicide detective, who is not being identified at this time, was out doing his job with his partner Wednesday afternoon when he was shot. The man’s partner called in the incident.

Rick Johnson says he was nearby when the gunfire erupted.

"Clack, clack, clack, clack – next thing you know every police officer in the West District showed up,” Johnson said.

Police say an officer loaded the detective into a cruiser and started driving him to the hospital, but an ambulance met them in between and transferred the victim to the ER.

Dr. Thomas Scalea, the chief of surgery at the hospital, says the detective is in critical condition and on full life support.

“"He's really, really, really sick. We are doing everything we can to keep him stabilized and to take care of the injury to his brain,” Scalea said.

Amid a manhunt for the suspect, a $60,000 reward is being offered for information pertaining to the crime.

Members of the community are expressing anger that someone could carry out an act of violence so heinous.

"They're human beings, just like we are, and they got a dangerous job every day to protect lives and save lives,” one resident said. "When they start shooting police officers, they have no human regard for life."

Others, including Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, are sending their thoughts and prayers to the detective and his fellow officers after a request from the Baltimore Police Department.

"My heart and my prayers go out to this detective's family. He deserved to come home tonight, and because of the act of cowardice, he's not,” state attorney Marilyn Mosby said.

Copyright 2017 WJZ, Baltimore Police Department via CNN. All rights reserved.