A Phoenix police officer was saved by his ballistic vest after he was shot during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect Wednesday night.
The incident began around 7:40 p.m. when the department's Neighborhood Enforcement Team attempted to stop the suspect near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, according to KNXV-TV.
Officials told reporters that the man was a known suspect with a felony warrant for his arrest.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the suspect was stopped at a fast food restaurant when he opened fire on three officers who were trying to detain him.
The officers returned fire at the suspect, who rammed vehicles around him before driving off.
Officers then pursued the vehicle east through Phoenix and the vehicle was eventually disabled when police deployed stop sticks.
At that point, a shootout broke out an one of the officers, a 17-year veteran, was wounded. Officials said that his life was likely saved by his ballistic vest.
The officer has since been released from a hospital after being treated.
Gas and a police dog were used to remove the suspect from his vehicle and he was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Charges are pending.
The incident remains under investigation.
