Alexandria police are investigating an officer-involved shooting. The officer fired her gun after she was struck on the head by an attacker, police said.

Police in Alexandria said when an officer responding to a report of someone striking cars with a hard object responded, she was struck on the head. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) WTOP/Neal Augenstein Police blocked off St. Asaph and King Streets in the heart of Old Town Alexandria to investigate the officer-involved shooting. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) WTOP/Neal Augenstein Alexandria police investigate the scene where an officer fired her service weapon after she was struck on the head by a suspect in a vandalism spree. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) WTOP/Neal Augenstein ( 1 /3) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An Alexandria police officer responding to a report of someone vandalizing cars in the heart of Old Town is in serious condition after she was struck on the head by a “hard object” Wednesday, police said.

“She received serious injuries, and in fear of her life, she drew her service weapon and fired at the suspect,” said Deputy Chief Shahram Fard at a morning news conference.

The shot she fired after the assault did not strike anyone.

Fard said the 34-year-old officer, who has one year on the job, was the first on the scene at St. Asaph and King streets.

Other officers arriving arrested the suspect, who has not been named.

UPDATE: APD Deputy Chief @sfardAPD briefs media on officer involved shooting. Suspect in custody. The Ofc, 34-yr-old female, in hospital. pic.twitter.com/ePcjNyhLlV — Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) July 12, 2017

It is not known how many vehicles were damaged during the vandalism spree.

Fard said police are examining evidence on the scene and are interviewing witnesses.

Anyone who saw anything is asked to call 703-746-6689.

WTOP’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report.