NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A man was shot by a Metro officer early Saturday morning in downtown Nashville after he hit an officer with his vehicle and nearly hit several pedestrians, investigators say.

Police said officers working the Central Precinct Entertainment District Public Safety Initiative responded to a call of a man waving a gun inside a Chrysler 300 at Third Avenue and Broadway around 12:30 a.m.

According to a release, as officers attempted to approach the car, 30-year-old Pasquala Walls quickly accelerated through the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, striking several other cars, including a patrol car, before he hit Sergeant Kris Delap.

Investigators said Sgt. Delap fired at least once at Walls as he continued westbound on Broadway, narrowly missing multiple pedestrians in the road.

Police said Walls, whose car was severely damaged and had lost a front tire, was riding on the rim and turned into an Exxon parking lot on Broadway, where he tried to run from the vehicle.

Citizens in the Exxon parking lot chased down Walls and struggled with him as he fell to the ground before officers arrived, according to Metro police. Responding officers quickly arrived and rendered aid to Walls, who had been shot.

He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with critical injuries.

Sgt. Delap was admitted to the hospital for observation and treatment of concerning, but not life-threatening injuries he received when he fell hard to the pavement.

Sgt. Delap is a 26-year Metro police veteran. He is the Central Precinct Community Coordinator Sergeant and was working the public safety initiative at the time of the incident.

Police said Walls was driving on a suspended license. A loaded 9mm pistol with an extended magazine containing 26 rounds was found on the front floorboard of the Chrysler 300. He also had outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and felony evading arrest.

Metro police said Walls has a felony conviction for cocaine in Shelby County. In Davidson County, Walls has outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, for allegedly firing shots into the air after a physical altercation with his ex-girlfriend, and felony evading arrest.