SCRANTON, Pa. — Scranton police have identified the officer wounded by gunfire early Thursday in the city.
Detective Kyle Gilmartin is a nine-year veteran of the force, according to Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll.
Det. Gilmartin remains in the hospital following a shooting Thursday morning on the city's west side.
The chief said Det. Gilmartin is a member of the department's major crimes unit and the auto theft task force.
Det. Gilmartin was injured by gunfire exchanged just before 5 a.m. on the 500 block of Hyde Park Avenue.
A suspect in the shooting was also injured and hospitalized. Police said Thursday he was in critical condition.
Scranton police swarmed the intersection of North Main Avenue and Swetland Street in Scranton around 5 a.m. Thursday, where the shooting occurred.
Shots were exchanged, and the officer and the suspect were critically wounded.
Kearea Hogan is Det. Gilmartin's cousin. She says the shooting has been a whirlwind for their entire family.
"Overwhelming, heart-wrenching at times, but with the support of everybody that surrounds us."
Hogan says Det. Gilmartin takes pride in being a police officer, serving and protecting his community. Many people know him as Detective or Officer Gilmartin, but his family knows him as Kyle—the father, husband, son, and friend they all love.
"He's funny, witty, strong, and brave, but he's always the person, if you need to crack a joke at that moment, he will do so," Hogan said.
The team of doctors and nurses who have been treating Det. Gilmartin is working around the clock, and the family is seeing some improvement, knowing Kyle is fighting, too.
"Even just getting to see him, hold his hand, and tell him we love him. We know he is going to be the person to pull through and fight for our entire family. That's what he's always done. He has immeasurable things to be here for, and he knows that. He's never going to quit. He's one of the strongest people I know."
The family also wants to thank the community for their support and prayers for Det. Gilmartin.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.
The shooting Thursday is tied to two gang-related gunfire incidents hours earlier in Scranton, Carroll said. Troopers said shots were fired on the 400 block of Harrison Avenue and the 300 block of Prospect Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Charges were filed Thursday night against Jeremiah Cleveland, 19, from Mayfield, for gunfire in the Hill Section and Scranton's south side.
The charges against Cleveland include discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, a firearm carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person, and criminal use of a communication facility.
State police ask anyone with information to call 570-963-3156 to submit details anonymously.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Scranton police HERE.