Suspected Car Thief Critical After Being Shot By OKC Officer

A man suspected of stealing a car is in critical condition after being shot by an Oklahoma City police officer early Sunday morning.

It happened around 1 a.m. near N.W. 23rd and Sterling. According to police, the officer was investigating a stolen car in that area, when someone told him where the suspect was.

Police say the suspect took off when the officer found him. The officer then began chasing him. At some point, police say the suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer, that's when the officer fired shots at the suspect.

"As the officer was approaching, preparing to pull out a taser, he realized that the suspect had drawn a weapon. He pulled the weapon up and shot himself. He then lowered the weapon at the officer, and the officer shot the suspect before he could fire at the officer," said Captain Dexter Nelson with the Oklahoma City police.

The suspect was taken to the hospital in critical condition. His identity is unknown at this time.

The officer is now on routine paid administrative leave pending an investigation.