Police: Trooper shot, critically injured during traffic stop

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Louisiana state trooper was shot in the head and critically injured Sunday when he tried to stop a driver suspected of being drunk or drugged in southwest Louisiana, Louisiana State Police said.

Other drivers stopped the alleged gunman and helped the officer until paramedics arrived, Col. Michael D. Edmonson, head of state police, said in a message on the department's Facebook page.

The message's subject line was "Trooper Critically Injured - Prayers Needed."

Capt. Doug Cain, a state police spokesman, confirmed that the officer, whose name was not immediately released, was shot in the head.

"Please take a moment from your Sunday afternoon to send prayers and well wishes to the Trooper and his family in this critical time," Edmonson wrote.

Within an hour, 5,100 people had shared the post and nearly 2,000 had posted messages saying they were praying.

Edmonson said the officer's name and status will be released as the investigation continues.

Other details were not immediately available.