A Phoenix police officer was shot multiple times Friday in what officials are calling a "violent, ambush style attack."
The shooting happened at around 11:30 p.m. when multiple armed suspects attempted to rob individuals in a parked vehicle, the Arizona Republic reports. An off-duty police officer working in uniform at a business was alerted concerning the incident, and he went to investigate.
One of the armed suspects opened fire at the officer, and he was struck multiple times. The officer was unable to fire his gun during the shooting.
The officer was rushed to the hospital and is recovering in stable condition.
"He was ambushed as he went to try to help folks that were being preyed upon and robbed and put himself in harm’s way," said interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan at a Saturday news conference.
The suspects fled the scene following the shooting, and police are currently searching for them. Sullivan said the suspects are "armed and dangerous," and he urged them to surrender to police.
