The Mountain View police officer who was shot during a routine traffic stop Saturday morning is a 5-year veteran of the department who was working an overtime shift focusing on DUI patrol, police officials said Saturday.
The officer was injured in the shooting during a traffic stop at Villa Street and Wild Cherry Lane early Saturday morning, shortly after midnight.
The officer was shot and wounded in the upper body by a person in the stopped vehicle. The officer did not return fire and the suspect fled.
In an update, officials said the interaction was seconds before the suspect opened fire at close range.
Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
"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.
The officer was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening, police said. The officer was released from the hospital Saturday night and is recovering at home.
Police said a large-scale perimeter search was being conducted in and around the downtown area, and an investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the suspected shooter.
Several neighboring agencies are assisting in the search for the suspect.
