An Apache Junction officer was hospitalized Tuesday after being shot, police said. 

The officer was shot just before 4 p.m. near Crismon Road and Main Street near Mesa, Apache Police Department spokesperson Marshall Harshman said.

Police found a black, stolen truck at a Bank of America in Apache Junction earlier in the week. The vehicle fled the scene and officers followed, but said they stopped the pursuit “out of concern for the safety of the public,” Harshman said.

About 2 p.m. Tuesday, officers received confirmation the truck had been spotted again in the area near Crismon Road and Apache Trail. About 3:45 p.m., officers found the truck in the parking lot of the Up in Smoke Shop where Harshman said two men in the truck started ramming into the officers’ vehicles.

Officers started shooting and at least one of the men returned fire, striking an officer. The officer was taken to the hospital, but his condition is unknown. Harshman said the officer has been with the department for “several years.”

One suspect was struck, and his condition is also unknown. The other suspect is in custody, Harshman said.

“There is no threat to the public at this time whatsoever,” Harshman said. “We ask for all of the prayers possible for our officer. This is a small town — everyone knows everyone.”

The scene of the shooting is on unincorporated Maricopa County land, Apache Junction spokesperson Al Bravo said. 

Police vehicles were parked around a black pickup in front of Up in Smoke Shop as of 5 p.m. 

Last year, Phoenix police Cmdr. Greg Carnicle was shot and killed by 22-year-old Jacob McIlveen in north Phoenix. McIlveen also injured two other officers before he was killed by another police officer after an hours-long standoff.

This is a developing story. Check azcentral.com for updates. 

Reach breaking news editor Kaila White at [email protected] or on Twitter @kailawhite.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-breaking/2021/03/16/apache-junction-police-officer-hospitalized-after-being-shot/4726240001/