By Police1 Staff

OUACHITA PARISH, La. — A wildlife agent is in serious condition after getting shot in the lower back during a traffic stop Thursday.

The Times-Picayune reports 32-year-old Sgt. Scott Bullitt stopped a vehicle along with another agent after believing the driver to be impaired.

(LDWF Image)

As Bullitt was walking back toward his patrol car, the passenger of the stopped vehicle, 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust, shot the agent.

The other agent returned fire as the suspect fled into nearby woods. Police took the driver of the vehicle into custody, and later arrested Hust after a four-hour manhunt.

The News Star reports the agent was transported to a hospital and will be examined by a neurosurgeon. The bullet reportedly lodged near the agent’s spine and Bullitt is unable to move his legs.