NEW YORK — A police officer is recovering after he was shot in the back in during a stop in the Bronx on Tuesday night, according to the NYPD.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said the 31-year-old officer and other members of the NYPD's Gun Violence Suppression team were driving on Lafayette Avenue and White Plains Road in Soundview around 10:30 p.m. when they saw a man and stopped him.

"Within seconds, they were in a gunfight," Shea said in a news conference early Wednesday morning.

According to Shea, police officials believe their officer fired one shot and the suspect fired four shots. Shea said officials believe the officer was struck once in the lower back, below his bullet-resistant vest, during that exchange.

The officer, Daniel Vargas, a six-year veteran of the NYPD, was transported to Jacobi Hospital and is expected to survive.

"I can tell you that he is in a lot of pain, but thankfully, we expect him to make a full recovery," Shea said.

The suspect — whom the NYPD identified as 24-year-old Ajani Jones — got on the ground and surrendered after shooting at police, according to law enforcement sources.

The NYPD said Jones was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including attempted murder.

Police said a firearm was recovered at the scene. Law enforcement sources told NY1 that the suspect carried a gun out of fear due to shootings and violence in the area.

The NYPD did not confirm who shot first or why police stopped Jones.

Shea said the suspect has several arrests in the city and a criminal record in New Jersey.

An investigation is ongoing.

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