How many times do we need to see the headline, “Teen Shot After Pointing Replica Gun at Officer” before this stupid trend stops?

On Thursday, another 17-year-old pointed a replica gun on a Wilmington Police Officer.

But this kid was unbelievably lucky – the officer didn’t cap him, he kneecapped him in one shot.

Delaware Online reports:

The incident began about 6:45 p.m. when police were called to respond to the area of Second and N. King streets for a gun complaint. Arriving officers saw the suspect at Second and N. West streets, and tried to stop him.

But when he did, Wilmington police Sgt. Andrea Janvier said the suspect ran on foot.

In an updated release, Janvier said officers caught up to the suspect in the 400 block of W. Third St., where he tripped and fell to the ground.

The suspect then got to his feet, pulled a weapon from his waistband and pointed it at one of the officers, Janvier said.

The 10-year veteran fired his department-issued handgun, striking the suspect in the right knee, she said.

“The officer’s partner, a six-year veteran of the force, was then able to take the suspect to the ground and place him into custody and recover the weapon,” she said. “The weapon was found to be a black in color replica handgun.”

Many bystanders in the area Thursday said they heard one gunshot.

The teen was treated by New Castle County paramedics and transported to Christiana Hospital in good condition.

The teen faces charges of aggravated menacing and resisting arrest, Janvier said.

The officer is a 10-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department and per department policy, has been placed on administrative duty.