A search is underway in Hillsborough for a suspect after police said an officer was shot in the police department's parking lot Saturday evening. 

The officer was shot by a suspect who entered the rear parking lot at the police department and "immediately opened fire" shortly before 4 p.m., the Hillsborough Police Department said. 

The officer returned fire but the suspect took off from the scene, police said. It's unknown if the suspect was wounded.

The officer was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. 

No description of the suspect at large was provided.

The police department is located on Floribunda Avenue, just off El Camino Real. People are urged to avoid the area.