A suspect is in the hospital after he was shot by a Fresno Police officer near Belmont and Fresno in Central Fresno. Witnesses said the suspect was threatening people and the officer with a knife.

The officer-involved shooting happened around 4pm. Police said the suspect was shot twice in the abdomen.

Chief Jerry Dyer said the man, who has yet to be identified, has undergone surgery in the hospital and he’s listed in stable condition. The officer involved in the shooting is a nearly ten year veteran, and he has been placed on paid administrative leave.

“What we do know is, his behavior was outside of the norm and again barking at people, yelling out “bulldog”, refusing to put the knife down and then actually walking towards the officer in a very brisk manner,” stated Dyer about the suspect.

Dyer said the suspect was not only heard barking “bulldog”, but he was dressed in all red, an indication Dyer said that he may be a gang member. When officers arrived on scene, they said the man refused to put the knife down despite the officer’s orders.

Dyer said, “The officer made several commands. Fifteen to twenty commands for the individual to drop the knife. He refused to.”

Dyer said the suspect, who is in his early twenties, walked towards the officer with the knife, and that is when the officer shot him twice in the abdomen area. Martin Hernandez and his 13-year old daughter witnessed the whole frightening ordeal.

“The police officer keeps on backing up with his gun out because the guy keeps on trying to stab him. He’s waving the knife wildly at the cop,” said Hernandez.

Dyer said body camera video and the real time crime center captured the entire incident, and at this point he believes his officer responded in the right manner.

“It appears the officer used extreme patience in trying to get the individual to drop the knife, and based on the proximity of the officer to the suspect when the officer was being confronted by this individual, it appears that he acted in a reasonable fear when he chose to use that firearm,” ended Dyer.