Though shot in the face, New Bedford detective drove himself to the hospital

NEW BEDFORD - Detective Lavar Gilbert drove himself to St. Luke's Hospital in "miraculous" fashion after getting shot in the face Monday night while working undercover.

Chief Paul Oliveira added during a press conference on the shooting at police headquarters Tuesday that "thankfully" Gilbert was in stable condition and that the department's hopes and prayers were for his speedy recovery.

Oliveira said it had been about a decade since a New Bedford police officer had been shot.

He described the 17-year-veteran officer as an "unbelievable detective" who displays his commitment to protecting the public on a daily basis.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said it was an extremely close call that could have turned out far worse if the bullet had traveled less than an inch in a different direction.

Mitchell said he was confident those responsible will be arrested. He said, "This guy is not going to get away with it."

He added, "There are a number of active leads that are being pursued."

Gilbert, who is assigned to the “Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau,” was conducting surveillance while working undercover in the south end Monday night, police said.

At 8:45 p.m., he was in an unmarked vehicle in the area of the Rivet St./Orchard St. intersection when shots were suddenly fired, police said.

Detective Gilbert’s window was shattered, and he was struck in the face by a bullet. He remained conscious and was able to drive himself to the hospital where he received emergency medical treatment.

Soon thereafter, an adult man arrived at the emergency room. He had sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his foot.

Oliveira said that shooting was related to Gilbert's shooting. The investigation is ongoing so he didn't want to go into too much detail, he said. Area surveillance video is being reviewed, he added.

Police said they can confirm that neither Detective Gilbert, nor any other New Bedford officers, fired their weapons.

At this time, there is no indication that the detective was specifically targeted, nor is there a reason to believe that there is an ongoing threat to safety in the Goulart Square neighborhood, police said.

Oliveira said, "We're confident this was a random act."

Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn said city, state and federal law enforcement officials were working together on the case, including the ATF.

He said it was particularly concerning that the shooting took place on a busy street on a summer night, as well as that it involved a police officer who is trying to protect the public.

"It is not acceptable," Quinn said.

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This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford detective drove himself to the hospital after getting shot