APACHE JUNCTION, AZ — Apache Junction Police Department officials say one of its officers was injured in a shooting in the East Valley Monday morning.
The incident happened near Ironwood Drive and Elliot Road.
Officials say around 9:30 a.m., police received calls about a man driving in the area with a firearm.
WATCH: Police Chief Mike Pooley provides update on officer's condition on Tuesday
When officers arrived at the location, a man exited his vehicle and started walking away with a gun.
Officers reportedly followed the man, 37-year-old Roger Nunez, on foot while giving commands to stop. Nunez did not react or respond. At one point, police say he mentioned that he wanted officers to shoot him.
Officials say officers then deployed "less lethal ammo" attempts.
Nunez then fired his weapon at officers, and multiple officers fired back. Nunez reportedly fired four shots at officers, striking one of them in the face.
That officer, Gabriel Facio, was taken to a hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Nunez was also struck and taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Apache Junction Police Chief Mike Pooley says when Nunez recovers, he expects him to be booked into jail on aggravated assault charges.
"Our officers train very hard for these types of situations. Luckily, we don't have a lot of violent crime in the city of Apache Junction, so this does shake us. It shakes our officers. It shakes their entire, the entire, department and the entire community, which is why we have so many of our city council here, our county attorney, that show their support, because these things don't usually happen in our city and I am proud of them. I'm very proud of them," said Chief Pooley during a news conference Tuesday.
Officials held a news conference Monday to discuss the events leading up to the shooting:
A large police presence was seen outside of an East Valley hospital and the surrounding area of the initial shooting scene.
The Mesa Police Department is taking over the investigation.
The Apache Junction Police Department has created a space where you can share a message for Officer Facio and his family. Whether it’s a memory, a kind word, or a moment you shared with him in the community, your words may bring comfort to those who need it most right now. Click here to leave a message.
