Western-Star.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Two veteran West Chester Twp. police officers were recovering from three gunshot wounds and one of three suspects is dead Friday night.

The police officers were taken and one suspect were taken to Bethesda North Hospital, where they were in stable condition, according to West Chester police Chief John Bruce.

The incident began with routine traffic stop that led to shots being fired.

The suspects fired three shots and Sgt. P. Matt Beiser, the only officer on the scene at the time was hit twice, once in the chest and once in the thigh.

He had pulled over a vehicle with three occupants at about 9 p.m. at Interstate 75 and Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

After shooting Beiser, the suspects fled south out of Butler County on Cincinnati-Dayton, sparking a police pursuit that ended when the suspects' vehicle crashed into a tree at the Crescentville Road intersection in Sharonville.

While attempting to apprehend the suspects, one fled and starting shooting at police, who returned fire. West Chester Twp. Officer Jeff Duma was shot once in the shoulder.

The suspect later was found dead near bushes, reportedly by a police canine. It is not known whether the bullet that killed the man was self-inflicted or from officers' return fire.

West Chester police Chief John Bruce, who was at the hospital, said both officers were in stable condition and were with their families.

"They're both fine warriors and excellent police officers. I'm very proud of them," he said.

Police said they are continuing their investigation at the locations of both shootings.