A man with a gun opened fire on an armed security guard Monday afternoon outside a shopping center in Northeast Washington, and was wounded when the guard returned fire, according to D.C. police.

The guard was not injured, though an errant bullet shattered the rear window of a Jeep Cherokee. Police said they knew of no apparent motive for the attack, which occurred shortly before 4 p.m. in the 3900 block of Dix Street NE.

D.C. police identified the suspect as Adrian Ivan Smith, 25, of Southeast. Authorities said he was struck multiple times by gunfire and was recovering in a hospital with injuries believed not to be life-threatening. He was charged with assault on a police officer and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Police said the incident began when Smith approached the guard, licensed as what is called a “special police officer,” and “engaged him in conversation.” A police report says Smith asked the guard for his name. The guard was at a shopping plaza near Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue that consists of a grocery store, fast food outlets and other shops.

“The suspect then brandished a handgun and fired several times at the special police officer,” according to a D.C. police statement. “The victim returned fire and struck the suspect multiple times.”

Special police officers work for private security firms or businesses and are licensed by the District. They have arrest powers limited to geographic areas under their protection. Police did not identify the guard.