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Shooting At Mpls. Squad Car Has Officers On High Alert

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An attack on one or two police officers is like an attack against the entire department. Most Minneapolis police officers out on patrol are on high alert a day after two of their own were shot at after a traffic stop.

They are making sure they continue to provide quality police service while also watching their own backs.

Officer Lora Hanks knows the neighborhood well where the shooting happened, near Lowry and Penn avenues.

"I've been doing this for 17 years and everyday I go to work, I enjoy it, I look forward to it. I love what I do," she said.

Hanks and other officers are on alert after two of their own were fired on during a routine traffic stop.

"I think anytime that you're in uniform and you're in a patrol car, you are a target for things to happen. I think the potential is always there and you have to remember that," she said.

Hanks said every traffic stop is different and officers must rely on their training to serve and protect the public as well as protect themselves.

"We get trained a certain way. You need to be vigilant, you need to watch your surroundings, pay attention to what's going on. There are certain steps that you follow to help prevent things from happening," she said.

Hanks said this attack was something no one expected.

Police say the two rookie officers were waiting for a tow truck to take the vehicle away they had stopped, when someone across the street opened fire. Two bullets hit the body of the car, a third hit a tire; in all six shots were fired.

"I'm not out here trying to hurt anybody else. I'm trying to protect the community and when something like that happens, there is just no reason for it," Hanks said.

Investigators hope they get help from the public to find those responsible for the shooting. Cameras cover the area where the shots were fired. Several businesses near the intersection have cameras as well.

Police believe it is only a matter of time before the person or persons who fired at police are behind bars. They say they're getting some leads and hope to have someone in custody soon. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact police.

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