The shots rained into the patrol car one after the other, striking a sergeant multiple times in the arm, lodging in her ballistic vest, and ricocheting off her own weapon, reports NBC News.

In total, 18 shots were fired at close-range at Sgt. Sylvia Young from a 9mm Luger, marking the beginning of a chaotic night in Philadelphia that would ultimately leave her, another officer, and three civilians injured; a 25-year-old woman dead; and the suspect killed amid a foot chase, officials said.

Young radioed for backup as the ambush started around 11:20 p.m. ET Friday.

"Help me, please!" Young, 46, was heard shouting on police dispatch audio. "We've got shots fired!"

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said Young leaned into the passenger seat to escape as much of the gunfire as she could. She was in the hospital and in stable condition with wounds to her torso and shoulder Saturday afternoon, talking and in good spirits after the night's deadly rampage, he said.

"It is absolutely miraculous that she is alive," Ross said, adding that it wasn't clear whether she would have been able to return fire after her service weapon was hit. "It's that quick thinking that absolutely helped save her life."

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Video: Man Wounds Two Officers and Kills Civilian in Philly Rampage