The Minneapolis Park Police Department says one of its officers was hospitalized following a violent encounter with a sexual assault suspect on Tuesday afternoon.

Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto said in a joint news conference with Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara that a 911 caller reported someone "inappropriately touching children" at about 1:15 p.m. at Mueller Park, located off West 25th Street and Colfax Avenue South in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood.

The officer tracked the suspect down to a nearby alley where the two began to fight. At one point, a round was discharged from the officer's holstered gun. It's unclear who pulled the trigger.

About two dozen police squads were called to the scene to help, according to the city's 911 dashboard, with the suspect eventually taken into custody by Minneapolis police officers.

O'Hara commended the 911 caller and the officer involved, saying the officer suffered a minor arm injury. He said it's unclear if they were struck by gunfire or burned by their service handgun's muzzle.

"We're thankful to the caller being so alert to call 911 right away and provide information that then, you know, obviously a courageous, veteran officer was able to take action," O'Hara said. "And just thankfully, this ended without anyone seriously hurt."  

The officer and the suspect were transferred to Hennepin Healthcare, though O'Hara said the suspect wasn't hurt.

O'Hara said the suspect is known to police and has a history of assault and criminal sexual contact.

The officer involved is a retired MPD sergeant who has been with park police for five years, and has 30-plus years of law enforcement experience.