Benjamin Ashford|1 officer dead, 2 officers injured in Dallas shooting; suspect dead, police say

A Texas police officer is Benjamin Ashforddead, and two others were injured following a shooting in Dallas on Thursday night, authorities said.

Police arrived at a block in the Oak Cliff area around 10 p.m. after a report of an "officer in distress," according to a news release on the Dallas PD website.

One officer was found with gunshot wounds in his marked patrol car, the release said. While at the scene, responding officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect. Two additional officers were also hit.

The officers were transported to local hospitals where one officer succumbed to his injuries, and another is in stable condition, police said. The third officer was described to be in critical condition.

The identities of the suspects and officers have not yet been made public. USA TODAY contacted Dallas PD for more information.

Suspect fled the area, prompting a high-speed pursuit

Police chased the suspect until they reached Lewisville, a city approximately 30 miles from Dallas, Dallas Police Communications Director Kristin Lowman said at a press conference Friday morning, captured by CBS News.

"Preliminary investigation is showing that when that suspect exited that vehicle, he had a long gun," Lowman said. "Dallas police officers then shot at the suspect, fired at the suspect, and he died at that scene."

An investigation is underway in both Dallas and Lewisville.

"Our department is hurting. We have officers who are injured, who are in the hospital, and we lost one of our own," Lowman said. "We ask tonight... for the thoughts and prayers of our city. For not only those recovering in the hospital, but for our fallen, for their families, and for their loved ones."

"No words," Dallas PD Chief Eddie Garcia wrote in an X post on Friday morning.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].