A search is currently underway for a suspect who officials say shot a police officer in Littleton multiple times overnight.

A Littleton police officer remained hospitalized Tuesday morning (Sept. 21) after being shot multiple times in the area of South Bannock Street and West Powers Avenue, authorities said.

According to Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens, two officers responded to a call of shots being fired from a vehicle in the previously mentioned area shortly after midnight Tuesday.

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Once officers contacted “what they thought was a possible suspect vehicle,” two individuals fled on foot, Stephens said in a live news conference on Tuesday morning.

As one of the suspects entered an apartment building at 183 West Powers Avenue, he turned and fired multiple shots, striking one of the officers repeatedly, according to an updated report regarding the Tuesday morning incident.

The officer, who was wearing what Stephens described as body armor, was shot more than three times.

“We believe he received a few shots to his torso, which were absorbed by the body armor, and he received wounds to his extremities, his legs and arm, and possibly one up above his vest, on his chest,” Stephens said.

The second officer returned fire as he attempted to rescue the wounded officer, but the suspect fled the scene.

The injured officer — who has not been publicly identified — was transported to a local hospital; according to a Tuesday morning update, the officer is in serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery. His family is with him and asks for privacy at this time.

Investigators have recovered the vehicle that the two officers originally stopped, but the other occupant who fled the scene also remains at large, Stephens said.

The Littleton Police Department initially asked residents in the area to shelter in place, but Police Chief Stephens said during Tuesday morning's news conference (which you can watch here) that the area had since been determined to be safe, and residents no longer need to remain in their homes.

As of Tuesday morning, the area still remains an active crime scene, but police do not believe there is an immediate threat to the community.

Officers from multiple neighboring agencies are assisting with search and investigation efforts; anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 911 or contact the Littleton Police Department at 303-794-1551.

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