BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Tonawanda police detective shot multiple times by a suspect Tuesday morning is expected to be released from the hospital within 24 hours, police sources tell 7 Eyewitness News.
Sources have identified the veteran officer as detective David Ljiljanich. He has held various positions since joining the department in 2001, including Taser instructor, school resource officer and D.A.R.E. officer in Tonawanda schools.
Ljiljanich is currently assigned to the Tonawanda Police Department's narcotics unit. He recently testified in the case of Jonathon White, the Tonawanda man who was convicted of attempted murder for setting his ex-girlfriend on fire outside the Tim Hortons on Niagara Street. Coincidentally, that restaurant is just a few blocks away from this morning's shooting scene.
Ljiljanich was shot multiple times by a gunman who returned to the scene of another shooting early Tuesday morning on Morgan Street. He was hit in the pelvis, groin, buttox and twice in his bullet-proof vest. He was taken to ECMC for treatment.
