LOS ANGELES (CBS) — An LAPD officer has been listed in stable condition after having been shot multiple times during a pedestrian stop in South L.A. Thursday, a department spokesperson said.

The shooting took place near 70th Street and Western Avenue around 2:45 p.m.

LAPD officials say two officers from the 77th Division stopped to question two men — one on a bicycle and one standing — when the suspects opened fire on the officers.

“One of the suspects, for an unknown reason, pulled out a handgun and fired at our officer,” Commander Andrew Smith said.

One officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, torso and arm, police said. He was taken to California Hospital where he is in stable condition. His name has not been released.

The other officer at the scene returned fire, hitting one suspect, who was also transported to the hospital.

Officials say the injured officer was a 7-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim was shot while wearing a bulletproof vest, which LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said likely saved the officer’s life. It is unknown whether or not he will have to undergo surgery.

Police have one suspect in custody and officials say one more is outstanding.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said attacks on LAPD officers have been on the rise.

“For the year, we’re up substantially — 29 percent — in the number of instances that our police officers have been shot at, so this is a great cause for concern,” Villaraigosa said.

Beck added, “In the past seven days, this is the third time that people have tried to murder uniformed Los Angeles police officers.”