Police: Man shot by officer wanted in connection with escape

By Jackie Valley

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 | 2:32 p.m.

A man shot by Metro Police late Tuesday afternoon at a downtown Travel Inn motel had been wanted in connection with a felony escape, authorities said.

The suspect, 37-year-old Larry Barber, was transported to University Medical Center in critical but stable condition after the shooting, police said.

The incident began at 4:47 p.m. Tuesday when patrol officers near Fremont and 21st streets tried to stop Barber for jaywalking, police said.

Barber ignored officers’ commands and ran into the lobby of the motel at 2028 E. Fremont St., police said.

An officer followed and asked Barber to stop and identify himself, at which point the suspect took a large knife from his waistband and began swinging it as he moved toward the officer, police said.

The officer fired several shots, striking Barber, police said. It’s unclear how many shots hit Barber, who remains hospitalized.

The officer, who has not been identified, was not injured. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

After the shooting, detectives learned Barber had been wanted in connection with felony escape, police said. Authorities have not released details about that incident.