Update: Police Questioning Person of Interest Following Shooting of Florissant Police Officer

Updated as of 12:15 p.m.

officials are in the process of , a 33-year-old police officer, twice early Monday morning. 

What was once believed to be a two person crime has been narrowed to one, Florissant police spokesman Andy Haarman said, and the search for the shooter is winding down as officials believe they have their man.

Haarman said he was unaware if a weapon had been retrieved in their search.

Vernon was shot twice in an attempt to stop a burglar. He was shot in the Surrey Plaza Shopping Center when he approached the suspect.

Vernon was in critical condition undergoing surgery this morning. 

As of 10:40 a.m., Vernon's surgery had to be stopped because of extensive bleeding. Police officials remain hopeful for recovery. 

Haarman said that more than 100-150 police officers from multiple municipal and state agencies, including St. Louis County Police, Missouri State Highway Patrol and police as far as West County helped in the early hours of the investigation. Haarman said that the is extremely grateful for all of their efforts.

The burglary happened initially in the Banstead Road area, and police investigated a two-mile radius for suspects, Haarman said. 

For more on this story, read Patch's article.

Aja J. Junior contributed to this story.

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