A Phoenix police officer fired a gun at two suspects who drove an alleged stolen vehicle into a police patrol car as they fled from a motel parking lot Monday morning, according to authorities. 

The incident occurred in the parking lot of Home Towne Studios in the area of 19th and Dunlap avenues, according to Sgt. Maggie Cox, a Phoenix Police Department spokesperson.

After police identified a stolen vehicle in a convenience store parking lot early Monday, two officers found the vehicle shortly after 6 a.m. in the motel’s parking lot, Cox said.

As the officers got out of their patrol car to approach the vehicle, the suspects began to drive away, hitting the open passenger-side door of the patrol car as they fled, which in turn hit an officer.

An officer then fired as the car took off, Cox continued. Police said they believe two people were in the suspected stolen vehicle.

“The injuries to our officers were minor. We don’t believe that the suspects were struck,” she said.

Cox did not elaborate on the extent or nature of the officer’s injuries. Earlier in the morning, police initially reported that no officers were injured.

Cox enlisted the public’s help to find the suspects, who were last seen driving a 2006 gray Nissan Altima with license plate number CVE6090 southbound on Interstate 17 near Indian School Road.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377). Tips can be sent online at SilentWitness.org. 

The officer involved in the shooting had between two and three years of service with the Phoenix Police Department, according to Cox.

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

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or on Twitter @vv1lder.

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