AURORA — An off-duty Jefferson County deputy was taken to a hospital Tuesday night with life-threatening gunshot wounds after a shooting in southeast Aurora.

Aurora police said they believe the deputy was shot during an attempted robbery at 17396 E. Adriatic Drive.

Sgt. Chris Amsler, Aurora police spokesman, said the deputy, dressed in civilian clothes, was approached by two men who had their guns drawn.

Shots were exchanged, and the deputy was shot multiple times in the chest and abdomen. The deputy wounded one of the two suspects in the leg.

The suspects ran away. The wounded suspect, a 16-year-old, was arrested nearby. The second suspect was seen hopping a fence and running east.

Witnesses said that the deputy was visiting his girlfriend in the neighborhood at a large, two-story apartment complex not far from the intersection of South Buckley Road and East Iliff Avenue.

Police have launched a manhunt for the remaining suspect, Amsler said, with all Aurora districts involved.

Denver police and Arapahoe and Jefferson county deputies were assisting in the search with canine units and the Denver police helicopter.

The search included the area near Rangeview High School and Mrachek Middle School, as well as several greenbelts.

The high school, where a basketball game was being played, was temporarily on lockdown.

The 16-year-old’s injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson