BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Shot in the line of duty, a Baltimore City police officer is recovering after being caught in a wild gun battle.

Weijia Jiang reports from shock trauma where the officer was rushed after the shooting.

The officer has been patrolling the streets for only a little over a year--the very streets where gunfire threatened his young life.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday, the busy intersection of North Calvert and Baltimore streets became the scene of multiple shootings—one that sent a city officer to shock trauma with serious injuries.

Investigators say the policeman confronted the suspect because he appeared to be armed. The brazen assault followed.

"As the uniform police officer made his approach, the suspect quickly turned and fired a shot striking the officer in the upper left shoulder," said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.

The bullet ended up lodged in the officer's chest. Bealefeld says the attack triggered a heated exchange when the suspect fled, shutting down several downtown streets.

"Officers were on the scene nearly instantaneous to the shooting and engaged the suspect in a running gun battle," Bealefeld said.

The commissioner says more than 20 shots were fired as police chased the suspect up North Calvert Street for about a block. At the time, clubs were just short of closing for the night. The area was packed with customers.

Bealefeld says the officers involved are members of the tactical unit, among the best trained with firearms. They wounded the suspect, who was able to escape in a car that crashed into a light pole shortly after.

Police found the suspect at the hospital seeking treatment. He now faces multiple charges.

The officer who was shot is expected to make a full recovery. His fiancé and parents were at his side all day.

Police also arrested two men who were in the getaway car. They aren't releasing any names at this time.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)