Miami-Dade Police Officer Shot In Head; Suspected Shooter Killed In Gunfire Exchange

A police officer is in critical condition after being shot by an armed suspect in Miami, Florida.

The suspect, whose identity was not revealed, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the Miami-Dade police Monday night, officials said.

Investigators with the department's Robbery Intervention Detail Section were responding to a report of an armed robbery after 8 p.m. Monday when the shooting took place, Miami Herald reported.

Officers identified a white sedan that belonged to the suspect in the armed robbery. When cops tried to pull him over after a car chase through Liberty City, the suspect refused to step out and "began to strike detectives' vehicles in an attempt to flee," the Miami-Dade police said in a press release.

The suspect later slammed into another passing car and a pole before attempting to flee on foot. He also began firing shots. The injured officer had just pulled up next to the suspect's vehicle and exited his car when he was shot in the head.

Police fired back at the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene, CBS News reported.

"An altercation ensued and shots were fired resulting in both the officer and subject shot," the police department added.

It is unclear how many shots were fired or how many officers were at the scene.

A witness told NBC 6 that he saw officers shooting the suspect and heard about 20 gunshots.

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez appeared distressed when he spoke to reporters just after midnight Tuesday. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was by his side.

"He was critically shot by an armed subject while protecting his community," Ramirez said about the officer.

The injured officer was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. He is in critical condition.

Several officers gathered at the hospital to show their support.

"I ask that our community please stand as one and pray," Ramirez told reporters. "We have hard days ahead of us. We have to do this as one, as a community, as a law enforcement family."