'Ambushed' Calif. Police Officer Seriously Wounded Chasing Suspect

A California police officer was seriously wounded Wednesday in what officials are calling an ambush at an outdoor shopping mall.

The shooting happened near the Santa Monica Place outdoor mall when an officer spotted a man wanted for an earlier shooting, ABC News reports. The officer confronted the suspect, kicking off a foot pursuit.

During the chase, the suspect opened fire and "ambushed" the officer, according to Police Chief Ramon Batista.

"The suspect fired multiple rounds at the officer and fled the area on foot," said Batista.

A manhunt for the suspect ensued, and a tip led police to the man after about three hours. The handgun apparently used to shoot the officer was also recovered.

The officer was rushed to the hospital following the shooting. He is in stable condition.

"He is in good spirits, and I feel hopeful that he will recover," said Batista.

The unidentified suspect was believed to be involved in a Sunday shooting of two teens in a Waymo self-driving taxi in Santa Monica. The shooting happened after an argument with the teens.

"We are fortunate that within a short amount of time, we were able to apprehend the individual, and he is no longer on the street," said Mayor Lana Negrete at a press conference.