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Crime & Safety

Plymouth Township Police Officer Killed

"Senseless act" claims 7-year veteran of force; suspect also killed; K9 officer wounded but survived

Update 9:33 p.m. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has confirmed the death of Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox. Fox's K9 partner was also shot but is expected to survive.

Ferman said that Fox is the first Plymouth Township police officer to die in the line of duty.

Plymouth Township police chief Joseph Lawrence called Fox, a veteran of the war in Iraq, a "hero."

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Ferman also confirmed the death of the only known suspect at this time, saying there's no "imminent danger" to the public.

Update 9:08 p.m. The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the officer who was wounded is in critical condition.

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Update 8:47 p.m. A representative of the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said that residents in the vicinity of the shooting are not at risk at this time, calling the situation "safe."

The representative would not confirm whether a search for suspects is still underway in the area.

We continue to await a statement from Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman.

Officers and area residents continue to gather outside Montgomery Hospital, where the wounded officer was taken and, according to numerous sources, reportedly died. Editor James Myers describes the mood as "somber."

Update 8:00 p.m. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman is expected to give a statement to the media shortly at a location near the scene.

SEPTA service to and from Norristown was suspended minutes after the shooting was first reported.

A search for an indeterminate number of additional suspects continues in the vicinity.

Update 7:41 p.m. Plymouth Township police chief Joseph Lawrence has reportedly arrived at Montgomery Hospital, where the injured officer was transported. He paused outside the hospital to speak with and console other emergency responders.

Update 7:20 p.m. Breaking News Network is reporting that both the injured police officer and the wounded subject have died.

This information is extremely preliminary. We are attempting to obtain confirmation from an official police source.

Update 7:08 p.m. A body-armored police tactical unit and armored vehicle have entered the area.

There was a report a short time ago that Pennsylvania State Police officers assisting in the search area heard additional gun shots, but this has not been corrorborated. Patch editor Kyle Bagenstose, who is a few hundred feet from the initial scene, said he could hear no additional shots.

Whitemarsh and Whitpain police units are reportedly covering Plymouth's other police calls at this time.

Update 6:58 p.m. Breaking News Network reported that the injured police officer is 30 years old and that the injured suspect may have been fatally wounded.

There are possible additional suspects in the area. Police units from as far away as Cheltenham are assisting in the search.

Update 6:38 p.m. Sources tell Patch that a suspect has been located just 20 yards from the initial scene. He is reportedly also shot. We are attempting to get official confirmation.

Initial story below.

Numerous reports are coming in of an officer shot in Plymouth Township.

The incident reportedly took place along Conshohocken Road in the Township. The roadway is being shut down between Ridge Pike and Conshohocken Borough.

We are unable to confirm a report by the @MontcoAlerts Twitter feed that the officer was shot in the head.

Police are searching for a suspect described as a light-skinned black male with a thin build, shorts, and a light-colored t-shirt.

The suspect is being described as armed and dangerous.

Avoid the area. Police from many surrounding areas are en route to the area to assist in the search. Multiple police K9 units are being enlisted in the search.

The scene is a short distance from the complex where Montgomery County police and fire personnel conduct training.

We have a reporter near the scene. We'll update this article as more information becomes available.

* Photos courtesy of Patch reader Kristian Konetzny.

Information from Montgomery County public safety radio broadcasts was used in this report.

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