A police officer was shot in the face Saturday night while investigating an armed robbery in Clarksdale, Mississippi. That officer, Cpl. Derrick Couch, was airlifted to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis and is listed in guarded condition.
Two suspects are still on the run after the robbery and shooting, according to authorities.
Sources said officers were investigating an armed robbery at the Corner Grocery at the intersection of Second Street and Sunflower in Clarksdale. The shooting itself took place about five blocks from the store, across the street from the Clarksdale Police Department. Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett said one of the robbery suspects shot Couch.
A medevac helicopter landed at Regional One shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday. Several unmarked police cars from Coahoma County, Mississippi, arrived at the hospital minutes later, bringing family members to the trauma center.
Interim Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings and members of the Memphis Police Department’s command staff are at the hospital offering their assistance.
Officers are reviewing security video from the store where the robbery took place to help identify the suspects. Several Mississippi law enforcement agencies are assisting with the investigation.
