A Southport police captain was hospitalized and two suspects were taken into custody Wednesday after authorities said the pair struck the officer with their car in an attempt to escape arrest.

The officer, a four-year veteran of the Southport Police Department, was working a part-time security job at IU Health Methodist Hospital when he was notified of at least one robbery suspect in the area. When the officer approached the suspect's car in the parking lot shortly before 11 a.m., the suspect and a passenger drove off and struck the officer, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Jim Gillespie said.

The officer fired at least one gunshot at the vehicle as it sped away, Gillespie said. Whether either suspect was shot remains unclear. The car, a 1999 Buick Regal, was later discovered to be stolen.

The suspects, identified as Christopher Johnson, 29, and Brandon Hayworth, 33, abandoned the car near 46th Street and Arlington Avenue and fled on foot, according to a news release. Both were arrested on unrelated warrants and taken to Eskenazi Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The officer suffered leg and hip injuries and was treated at Methodist for non-life-threatening injuries, Gillespie said.

The incident thrust the small south-side police department back into the news after Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan was killed July 27 when a motorist in a car accident fatally shot him. Jason Dane Brown had his initial hearing Wednesday on charges of murder and marijuana possession.

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Gillespie said responding to a call about another wounded Southport officer was difficult just days after Allan's funeral, but he stressed that law enforcement officers will not be deterred by those who wish to cause them harm.

"We know that this is part of the risk. It's one of the risks that we face each and every single day," he said. "But we're going to continue to come out no matter what because we're here to serve and protect the community."

A crowd of onlookers gathered near Methodist Hospital as squad cars filled the parking lot. Many were shocked to learn what happened to the officer and offered words of support to police.

"I've had a enough of this, and I know others have had enough of it, too," resident Erin Schroeder said. "This just isn't right. People are losing their minds. ... I pray for this officer and for all officers."

Jeremiah Oakes said he was walking through the neighborhood just moments after the incident occurred. He had no idea an officer was the one in need of help.

"I saw the police light, and I thought it was just someone going to the hospital," he said. "It's a damn shame."

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138 or email him at justin.mack@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.