2 officers shot; one in 'very critical' condition | Suspect barricaded in South City home

The officers were responding to a shooting call when a gunman shot the first officer in the head, critically injuring him. A second officer, rushing to his aid, was shot in the leg.

St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden said officers were responding to a shooting call in the 3700 block of Hartford Street just before 6 p.m. just south of Tower Grove Park.

While they were looking for a victim and a suspect, they heard gunfire and a 29-year-old officer was shot in the head and is in "very" critical condition, Hayden said. The gunman then shot another officer in the leg as he and others were going to assist the first officer.

Both officers were rushed to hospitals, one to St. Louis University Hospital and the other to Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

"These officers, all they're trying to do is their job and try to help a person who's wounded and they come under fire themselves," Hayden said. "The officer who's most critically injured, pray for him."