Police officer shot in Norwich standoff

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- A police officer was shot several times at an ongoing standoff at an apartment complex in Norwich.

Norwich Police responded to the report of a suicidal person at the Cedar Glen Apartment complex at 99 Cedar Street around 2:45 p.m.

Police say the person was allegedly announcing an intention to commit suicide-by-cop.

Officers set up a perimeter and tried to communicate with the gunman.

Shortly before 4:00 p.m. several shots were fired. An officer identified as Jonathan Ley was shot four times and was transported to Backus Hospital and later taken by LifeStar to Yale New Haven Hospital. He is in critical condition.

News 8 is told Officer Ley is a 14 year member of the Norwich Police Dept.

Police say around the same time a resident of the complex had a medical emergency and evacuated that individual for medical attention.

People in the area report hearing more than 30 or 40 shots.

News 8's Jacquie Slater spoke with a woman whose 90-year-old mother lives in the apartments. She said she spoke to her mother around 6 o'clock but at the time has not heard from her since.

"We called the Norwich police and they told us to call her back and tell her to open the door but she so scared and crying that she doesn't want to open the door for the police either," said Jessie Rivera.

News 8's Slate spoke with that woman again. Because of the woman's age and the fact they had not heard from her, police were able to go in and get her out safely.

Nearby residents were evacuated and the neighborhood remains blocked off at this time.

Around 8:00 p.m. there were more shots fired off. State Police, SWAT teams and snipers are on scene assisting.