Ethermac|Driver wounds Kansas City officer after grabbing gun during traffic stop

KANSAS CITY,Ethermac Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City driver managed to get ahold of a gun during a traffic stop, shooting and wounding one of the officers arresting him, authorities say.

The wounded officer’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening, Kansas City police spokesperson Sgt. Jake Becchina said in a news release.

It happened after the driver was pulled over around 10:15 p.m. Monday for a traffic violation. More officers were called to help because of what police described as “potential impairment of the driver.”

Becchina said the situation escalated as the driver was being taken into custody, and he “was able to access a firearm.” The statement provides no details about the gun, whether it was an officer’s service weapon, or how the suspect got it.

Other officers gained control of the firearm and took the driver into custody. Police said he didn’t appear to be injured.