A POLICE officer involved in one of Australia’s biggest manhunts is in a “critical but stable” condition after being shot with his own gun during a confrontation with a man at a Sydney hospital last night.

The shooting occurred inside Nepean Hospital’s emergency room in Penrith about 10.40pm. A security guard was also shot, and is in a stable condition with a gunshot wound to his calf.

The police officer has been identified as Senior Constable Luke Warburton, of the Dog Squad, who in 2005 helped catch violent fugitive Malcolm Naden after a months-long game of cat-and-mouse through the bush. Naden was finally caught in a NSW forest.

Wanted over murder and indecent assault charges, he was one of Australia’s most wanted men.

This morning, a 39-year-old man was charged with shooting with intent to kill after allegedly wresting Senior Constable Warbuton’s gun off him and opening fire during the struggle inside the hospital late last night.

Police were called after the man allegedly confronted a doctor with a pair of scissors.

Police and security arrived to try and end the situation and the shooting happened soon after.

The police officer, who was shot in the left thigh, is in a “critical but stable condition” according to NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn, while the security guard is stable,

Both are being treated at Nepean Hospital.

The hospital was forced into lockdown after the incident and emergency services were instructed not to bring patients there.

The shooting was not thought to be terrorism-related. The exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated, including whether the 39-year-old man was a visitor to the hospital or patient.

Police said they had set up a critical incident investigation to determine what happened during the struggle.