LAPD officer hospitalized following a shooting at a park

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - An investigation is underway after an officer was hospitalized following a shooting in Los Angeles Saturday.

The shooting was reported just before 4:00 p.m. Pacific at Exposition Park.

Officials said officers were attempting to stop and question a suspect when he fled, leading to a foot pursuit.

The suspect turned and opened fire on the officers, hitting one of them. The officer was then taken to the hospital in serious, but stable condition.

"You always plan for the worst and hope for the best. In this case, they stopped somebody on the street, the suspect ran. They get foot pursuits all the time. In this case, it could've been very problematic when the suspect turned and fired, and we're very thankful that the injuries weren't worse than they are," said Chief Jim McDonnell with the Los Angeles Police Department.

The other officer reportedly returned gunfire, but did not strike the suspect.

He was arrested and will likely be booked for attempted murder of a police officer. A weapon was also recovered at the scene.

The shooting remains under investigation.