A Phoenix police officer was in critical condition Thursday night after being shot during a traffic stop, officials confirmed.

The suspect who fired also was shot when the officer returned gunfire, said Phoenix police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune.

The shooting took place about 8 p.m., at Cave Creek and Cactus roads, she said.

The officer, a one-year department veteran who was in a marked police vehicle, was attempting to stop a vehicle near the intersection, Fortune said. Witnesses told police that when the vehicle stopped, a man inside fired shots at the officer, striking him, she said.

The officer was able to return fire and shoot the suspect, she added.

Both were taken to a hospital and both were in critical condition Thursday night, she said.

Fortune could not confirm how many times the officer was shot.

No other suspect was being sought.

Additional information was not available.

A heavy police presence remained at the intersection, which was closed to traffic, just before 10 p.m. Some of the activity was centered at a nearby Circle K store and gas station.

The shooting was the 66th involving a law-enforcement officer in Maricopa County this year, and 34th involving Phoenix police, according to a count maintained by The Arizona Republic. 

Check back with azcentral.com for updates.

PHOENIX POLICE SHOOTINGS:

Read or Share this story: https://azc.cc/2MBB9CS