WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A suspect is in critical condition and a Maize police officer is expected to recover following a shooting near a Menards store in northwest Wichita.

The incident happened just before 2 p.m. Monday near 37th Street North and Maize Road. Maize Police Chief Jeff Weible said Wichita and Maize officers responded to a suspicious character/shoplift call at Menards. A Maize officer spotted the suspect heading south from the store and attempted to catch up. 

The suspect then climbed into a drain near Take 5 Oil Change and Club Car Wash.

"As officers were making contact, the suspect indicated that he had a gun," Chief Weible said. "As they were getting the suspect out of the drain to take him into custody, the suspect made a very quick move. (An) officer fired shots, striking the suspect."

Weible said a bullet fragment struck another Maize officer in the hand. 

The suspect, a 41-year-old man whose name was not released, was in critical condition but stable. The officer was in good condition at a local hospital.

It's unclear if the suspect was actually armed. The investigation is ongoing. 

A Maize USD 266 spokesperson said all the district's south campuses were briefly placed on a modified lockdown. Parents and guardians were advised to avoid Maize Road for student pickup.

"During a modified lockdown, teaching and learning continues in classrooms, but students and teachers stay inside, with nobody entering or exiting the building," the spokesperson said.

In 2018, an employee at the same Menards was shot while trying to stop shoplifters. More on that story here.