A St. Paul, Minnesota, police officer was shot Thursday when police responded to the report of a man violating a protective order. After being stuck in the lower leg, the officer was taken to an area hospital, and has now been released.

“Our city has experienced six domestic violence homicides this year. Our officers get called to these situations. When they're asked for help, they're going to respond,” said Chief Axel Henry, during a Thursday night press conference. “No one in our community, particularly our officers wants things to turn out this way.”

About 2 p.m. officers responded to an intersection after a woman called reporting that a man, who was in violation of a protective order, was following her.

The woman reported that the man was intentionally driving his vehicle into hers, reported FOX9.  The woman also said he had a handgun and had broken out a window of her vehicle, M. Ernster said during a Thursday-night press conference.

The officer arrived ad confronted the man, at which time the man fired a handgun striking the officer in the leg. The officer returned fire, striking the man.

The wounded officer was rushed by squad car to the hospital after being shot, explained Sgt. Mike Ernster. Local EMS transported the subject, who Ernster said sustained life-threatening injuries.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is now handling the investigation.

“The officer involved in this incident was wearing a body camera that was activated. That video along with other evidence in this case will be reviewed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as it conducts its investigation,” Ernster said in the press conference.