Owensboro, KY – An Owensboro officer was shot by a homeowner early on Wednesday morning as he searched for a suspicious person who may have been breaking into vehicles nearby.

The Kentucky State Police said Owensboro Police Officer Zachary Morris responded to the call for a suspicious person in the area of Hathaway and 6th Streets at about 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 10, The Owensboro Times reported.

Officer Morris arrived on the scene and spotted a person who matched the description of the suspect, and attempted to make contact. The suspect fled on foot and the officer pursued him.

He lost sight of the suspect behind houses in the 500-block of Hathaway Street, and was checking around the fenced backyards near that area when a homeowner mistook him for a burglar and shot him, The Owensboro Times reported.

Officer Morris was wearing a ballistic vest, but he was struck in the lower abdominal area, according to the Kentucky State Police.

He was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The state police said the officer was in “good condition” after the surgery.

Police have detained the homeowner who shot Officer Morris for questioning, but no charges have been filed, The Owensboro Times reported.

The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team was investigating the incident.