An Austin, Texas police officer was wounded in an exchange of gunfire that left the gunman dead Sunday morning.
The 9-year veteran of the force saw a security guard chasing a suspect near 6th Street and West Avenue and intervened, leading to a struggle between him and the suspect that resulted in the shooting, according to KXAN-TV.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters that the suspect opened fire on the officer during a struggle and that the officer returned fire, hitting the suspect.
"The suspect without any warning turned and took out a semiautomatic pistol and fired one shot at our officer," Acevedo said. "He immediately returned fire striking the suspect."
The officer, who was struck in the lower right abdomen, was transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge.
The suspect, described as a white man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Before the shooting, the security guard saw at a parking garage in the 800 block of West Fifth Street saw a suspect breaking into vehicles on live surveillance video when he gave chase and told someone to call 911.
The police chief said that he is grateful that the security guard was on hand to help the wounded officer.
"It's very fortunate this young man who did a phenomenal job helping us out.," he said. "It's very fortunate he did not get shot by the suspect."
The officer, who is not being named at this time, had the bullet removed and he is listed in stable condition.
The shooting remains under investigation.
