Mountain View police officer shot, suspect at large

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - An officer from the Mountain View Police Department was injured in a shooting Saturday morning.   

Shortly after midnight, a patrol officer pulled over a car at Villa Street and Wild Cherry Lane when a person inside the vehicle shot at the officer, police said.   

According to authorities, the officer suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body.   

The officer did not return fire, and the suspect allegedly drove away.   

A short time after the shooting, the suspect crashed his car at Villa Street and Hidden Avenue and fled from the crash scene on foot, according to police.  

The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He is a 5-year veteran of the Mountain View Police Department who was working an overtime shift focusing on DUI patrol, officials said.   

The interaction was only seconds before the suspect opened fire at close range, according to authorities.  

"I am forever grateful that this was not a tragedy for our MVPD family," said Mountain View Police Chief Chris Hsiung. "Our officers go out every day, not knowing what they may encounter on patrol. All department resources have been dedicated to this investigation and I have full faith we will apprehend this suspect."   

Officials said the suspect is armed and dangerous. The department is not yet identifying the suspect because the investigation is ongoing.     

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A large-scale perimeter search for the suspect ensued in the downtown area immediately after, according to authorities. Several neighboring agencies are assisting in the search for the suspect.