Suspect sought as Shelby officer fights for life

A North Carolina man is facing an attempted murder charge as a police officer fights for his life from a gunshot wound.

Shelby police were searching Sunday for 23-year-old Irving Lucien Fenner Jr. of nearby Grover after Officer Tim Brackeen was shot early Saturday.

Brackeen was in critical but stable condition after being shot in the torso. Police said he was protected by a bullet-resistant vest.

Brackeen, 38, has been on the police force for 12 years and is currently assigned as a K9 officer, police said. He was named the Shelby department’s officer of the year in 2012. He is married and has one daughter.

Police say Brackeen was shot while looking for a subject wanted on outstanding warrants.

Associated Press

This story was originally published September 11, 2016 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Suspect sought as Shelby officer fights for life."