An off-duty Phoenix police officer was shot multiple times Friday night while investigating reports of an attempted armed robbery near 3300 W. Southern Ave., authorities said.

At about 11:30 p.m. March 29, suspects attempted an armed robbery of a vehicle in a parking lot near 33^rd and Southern avenues, police said Saturday morning.

“The officer approached this area to make contact with those involved. At least one of the suspects who was armed with a handgun began to fire in the direction of the officer,” police stated in a release.

The officer, who did not use his firearm, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and the suspects took off before other officers arrived, according to the release.

The injured officer was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was in stable condition early Saturday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department or to call Silent Witness at 480(WITNESS) or 480(TESTIGO) and provide an anonymous tip.

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