EL CAJON, Calif. – Authorities say an El Cajon police officer killed a man in a shootout Thursday as they searched for the gunman involved in an earlier attack.

Just after 2:10 p.m., police responded to the 1100 block of E. Main Street after a call from a person who claimed they’d been shot, El Cajon police Capt. Rob Ransweiler said in a news release. Officers were provided a suspect description of the shooter and started searching the surrounding area.

Soon thereafter, a person who matched the shooter’s description was spotted by an officer near the corner of Ballard and Decker streets, Ransweiler said. When the officer drove closer, police say the suspect started shooting at the officer still in his vehicle.

The officer, who has not been publicly identified, returned fire on the suspect, striking them at least one time, according to Ransweiler. Witnesses in the area told FOX 5 that they heard what sounded like five to seven gunshots during the incident.

Around 6 p.m., a captain at the scene told FOX 5 the man shot by police had died from his wounds after receiving medical attention.

The victim from the first shooting was still receiving medical care. Their condition was not immediately disclosed and the officer was not injured in the incident.

Officers asked the public to avoid the area during the investigation.