Savannah Police Shooting: Officer Pays 'Ultimate Sacrifice'

SAVANNAH, GA — A police officer has died following a shooting Saturday evening in Savannah. The Savannah Police Department said one officer succumbed to his injuries following a shooting around 8:10 p.m. in the city's sprawling Midtown section, near Bull Street and West 39th Street. Officers had been responding to follow-up on a previous robbery call.

The shooting happened as police officers approached a vehicle matching the description of one used in the robbery, police said. Two officers and the suspect were hurt. All were hospitalized. The second officer involved in the shooting was treated and released.

Multiple media outlets identified the slain officer as Kelvin Ansari.

"Sgt. Kelvin Ansari, a 10-year veteran of the Savannah Police Department who served over two decades in the U.S. Army, was killed in a shooting incident while responding to robbery call Saturday night," police told CNN, according to a tweet posted on anchor Jake Tapper's account.

The state Bureau of Investigations was called to investigate the shooting, as is police protocol.

"Please keep our officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers at this time," Savannah police said. "We want to thank the community for their continued support."

The state Bureau of Investigations wrote in a Facebook post: "Our hearts are with the family, blood & blue, of the Savannah Police Officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last night. We thank you for your service and will continue to pray for your family, friends, and the Savannah Police Department."