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Editor’s Note: A previous statement from Abbotsford Police said at least two officers were injured in the shooting. Abbotsford Police later clarified that one officer was shot. He later died of his injuries.

An Abbotsford police officer has died following a shooting Monday.

The officer was shot and seriously injured during a shootout with a suspect that started at 11:52 a.m.

The officer was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and passed away a short time later.

Police have not released his name but say his next-of-kin has been notified.

“The officer who gave his life today is a hero. He was protecting his community. He will always be my hero,” Abbotsford Police Chief Const. Bob Rich said.

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“This person was trying to kill members of the public and our officers responded,” added Rich.

WATCH: Abbotsford Chief Const. Bob Rich addresses media

2:38 Abbotsford Police update following shooting Abbotsford Police update following shooting

The suspect was also injured in the shooting. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A person at the scene shared a photo of the suspect with Global News.

Police say the suspect is in his 60s and from Alberta.

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Police were called to the Fraser Valley Auto Mall Monday morning following the sighting of a stolen Mustang.

LISTEN: Abbotsford police officer shot dead in the line of duty



George MacDonald, the fleet manager at MSA Ford in the Auto Mall, told Global News that the Mustang was stolen on Saturday.

“At about 9:15 Saturday morning we had a customer come in, want to take a test drive on a Mustang. He walked in, one of the sales guys went to get the keys for him, he passed the customer the key, the guy put the licence plate on the back of the car, the guy sped off in the Mustang, never came back.”

MacDonald said they reported the car stolen to Abbotsford police on Saturday.

WATCH: Shooting leaves Abbotsford, BC police officer dead

1:55 Shooting leaves Abbotsford, BC police officer dead Shooting leaves Abbotsford, BC police officer dead

On Monday they noticed what they believed to be the same Mustang, now with Alberta licence plates on it, at a nearby gas station.

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They tried the remote key entry on the vehicle and it worked, so they called Abbotsford police.

“We were standing there for 15, 20 minutes. We’ve got the car blocked in, we don’t see the person that stole it. As we walked into Quiznos, one of the guys told me, ‘Hey George, can you come back, one of your customers is waiting for a key.'”

LISTEN: How the death of an officer affects the police community

“As I walked back [to the Auto Mall], got back here to the dealership with the key, shots fired,” MacDonald said.

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“The guy apparently rammed the truck, fired three bullets into my lot manager’s truck, Corey, in his blue F150, and Mike, the sales manager ran one way and Corey ran the other way. The guy then jumped the curb with the Mustang and that’s when the takedown took place.

WATCH: Cellphone video captures Abbotsford police incident:

0:32 Cellphone video captures Abbotsford police incident Cellphone video captures Abbotsford police incident

#breaking Two #Abbotsford police officers injured and a suspect in custody after incident along Mount Lehman pic.twitter.com/gGNZhtpz6v — Ted Field (@tedfieldglobal) November 6, 2017

“He shot just as the cops were arriving. He tried to get my lot manager’s truck out of the way and my lot manager wouldn’t move so he fired bullets into the truck, trying to get him to move.

“As he jumped the curb, the cops were arriving and they chased him down the Mt. Lehman exit on the roundabout.”

Police say they received several reports of shots fired. When officers arrived they attempted to engage and arrest the suspect and that’s when the gunfire started.

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Global One above location where black Mustang was stopped by #Abbotsford Police @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/Uj52GPkM4e — Ted Field (@tedfieldglobal) November 6, 2017

#Abbotsford – Police investigation has Mt. Lehman blocked off both ways just south of Fraser Hwy.^ms — AM730Traffic (@AM730Traffic) November 6, 2017

WATCH: A witness tells Global News what he saw:

1:10 Witness to Abbotsford police incident Witness to Abbotsford police incident

Nearby businesses were evacuated and the area was closed to the public.

Officers from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. were called to the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is assuming control of the investigation.

WATCH: Aerials of Fraser Valley Auto Mall following the police incident:

1:11 Aerials of Fraser Valley Automall following police incident Aerials of Fraser Valley Automall following police incident

WATCH: Aerials of the aftermath of the police takedown on Mt Lehman.

1:06 Aerials from Abbotsford police of takedown Aerials from Abbotsford police of takedown

Condolences pouring in

Flags outside the Abbotsford Police Department were lowered to half-mast Monday afternoon. Throughout the night members of the community dropped off flowers and cards of condolences.

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Flags lowered to half mast at the Abbotsford police department after an officer was killed in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/ardCTdlyVE — Aaron McArthur (@Aaron_GlobalBC) November 7, 2017

Premier John Horgan tweeted his condolences on Monday afternoon.

As British Columbians, we are filled with grief at this tragic loss & give gratitude to those who put their lives on the line for us. — John Horgan (@jjhorgan) November 7, 2017

Police departments and other first responders sent messages of support to the Abbotsford Police Department.

Our flags are at half-mast in honour of the sacrifice made today by @AbbyPoliceDept. You are in our thoughts. pic.twitter.com/gTjMAhCahT — Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 6, 2017

Our deepest condolences to Abbotsford Police, their families, and our Police colleagues everywhere. @AbbyPoliceDept #shuswap pic.twitter.com/HJk1CRM2KW — Shuswap FD (@ShuswapFire) November 6, 2017

Our thoughts are with our friends in #Abbotsford. RIP pic.twitter.com/VbW2A74mG3 — Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) November 6, 2017

We all send our condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of the @AbbyPoliceDept Officer killed in the line of duty today.#HeroInLife pic.twitter.com/IsUDSgO9t1 — Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) November 6, 2017

Heartfelt condolences to the loved ones and colleagues of our fellow fallen officer today in Abbotsford. @AbbyPoliceDept. — North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) November 6, 2017

SP: Thoughts and prayers r with the Abbotsford police service and the family of the officer killed earlier today. #yeg, #Police — Edmonton Police (@edmontonpolice) November 6, 2017

Shocked and saddened. Our deepest condolences to the family and your officers. Stay strong @AbbyPoliceDept pic.twitter.com/qne6VE7Amy — Ridge Meadows RCMP (@RidgeRCMP) November 6, 2017

Since 1859, 120 law enforcement officers — including police, corrections, customs officers and sheriffs — have died in B.C. while serving the public.

The last officer to die in the line of duty was RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett, who was killed when her police cruiser was broadsided by a pickup truck in a Langford intersection in April of last year.

— With files from The Canadian Press