Phoenix police detectives are investigating an aggravated assault on an officer that occurred early Sunday morning in the 1700 block of West Bell Road.

The officer is expected to survive his injuries, police said, and the suspect is hospitalized due to issues unrelated to the incident.

Just after 1 a.m. April 7, an officer from the Black Mountain Precinct responded to a trespassing call at a gas station near 17^th Avenue and Bell Road, according to a Phoenix Police Department release.

“The officer was directed to a man inside the business and was told by an employee they wanted him trespassed off the property,” the release stated.

The officer escorted the man toward the exit when the suspect pulled a knife “and violently attacked the officer,” according to the release.

“During the assault, employees inside the store rushed to the officer’s aid and fought with the armed suspect. They were able to subdue the suspect until other officers arrived and took the man into custody.”

The officer was taken to a hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, police said, adding the employees who assisted the officer were treated at the scene scene for minor injuries.

“I am so grateful that our officer injured last night is stable and recovering in the hospital. This is the second Phoenix officer who has been violently attacked in a week. I refuse to let this become the norm. It is unacceptable, and the community should be outraged," Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan said.

The suspect will be booked on multiple felony charges once he is released from the hospital, police said Sunday.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.