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Another police officer attacked with ax

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Another police officer has been attacked with an ax, this time in Washington, DC.

A man plunged a large ax into the drivers side window of a patrol car while a police officer was inside Friday, Washington Metropolitan Police said. The ax, which was several feet long, remained embedded in the window as the officer and attacker fought.

"It appears this person specifically targeted this police officer," said police chief Cathy Lanier at a press conference.

District of Columbia police are searching for the attacker, who escaped. WJLA reports that the officer, whose name has not been released, suffered a dislocated shoulder.

The attack comes about a week after two New York City police officers were ambushed by a man wielding a hatchet, considered a "terrorist act" by the NYPD. Officer Kenneth Healey, who was struck in the head, left the hospital Wednesday.

Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on twitter at@GavinStern or email him at gavin.stern@scripps.com.