Doctors at Creighton University Medical Center say Omaha Police Officer Paul Latschar was within five minutes of bleeding to death when he arrived at their trauma center last night, but he is expected to survive.

Also, the suspect booked in connection with the shooting of Latschar has been identified as 30-year-old Corey Allen. Officer Latschar was shot during a traffic stop.

Police Chief Eric Buske said Latschar called for medical assistance after being shot.

Latschar was taken to Creighton University Medical Center in extremely critical condition. He was in surgery early Thursday morning. He has been on the force for nearly 10 years.

At a news conference at 12:45 a.m. Thursday outside Creighton Medical Center, Lt. Darci Tierney said two members of the OPD Gang Unit made a traffic stop near 42nd Street and Camden Avenue around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday.

At least one of the officers got out and was shot by the individual in the vehicle. At least one of the officers returned fire, but the suspect was not hit. The suspect fled and was caught a short time later. The weapon believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered.

"I just walked out the house, heard bang, bang, pop, pop -- sounded like two guns. Walked around the corner, instantly saw some dude laying on the corner. Looked over, saw his car, saw that it was an undercover cop car, and everybody hopped out with assault rifles," said Franky Biggs, witness.

Tierney said multiple shots were fired at the officers, but it wasn't clear how many times the officer was struck. He was wearing a bullet-proof vest. At least one bullet hit him in the shoulder.

"All I heard was a couple gunshots and then heard all the sirens and stuff and was watching all the cop cars and came down," said Tiffany Ann Linstrom, witness.

"I thought it was something involving an officer because I used to work at 911 and I knew with this many police cars it had to involve an officer," Linstrom said.

About 30 cruisers responded to the call of an "officer down." Police were seen canvassing the neighborhood with assault rifles.

Just after 9:30 p.m. and a few blocks away, another person was shot
at 43rd Street and Laurel Avenue and was taken to Creighton Medical Center in critical condition. He was upgraded to critical but stable condition after surgery.

Several police officers and Mayor Mike Fahey showed up at CUMC for updates during the night. Chief Eric Buske was out of town at the time and was attempting to catch the first available flight back to Omaha Thursday.