Officer shot during traffic stop in N.M.; gunman sought

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say an officer who pulled over a suspected drunken driver was shot during the overnight traffic stop, and a search is underway for the gunman.

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden told reporters the officer was shot around 2:30 a.m. Saturday after the motorist got out of the vehicle and began shooting.

Police spokesman Tanner Tixier says the officer was shot twice but was able to return fire. He is expected to survive. It's not known if the gunman was struck.

Tixer says the gunman fled on foot.

Eden says the officer's family has been notified and the officer is hospitalized in stable condition. Police say the officer is a 30-year veteran of the force.

The suspect is described as white or a light-skinned Hispanic and 6 feet tall.