This is the moment a man shoots at a police officer at close range before sneaking out of his vehicle under return gunfire where he tries to escape on foot.

The officer-involved shooting took place in Pinellas County in the US state of Florida at 3.31pm on 26th June.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said in a statement that two St Petersburg Police officers were attempting to locate Austin Kingos, 23, for violating an injunction for stalking.

According to investigators, Officer Ronald McKenzie and Officer Pavel Kuznetsov arrived at the scene and observed Kingos in a vehicle before attempting to make contact with him.

Both officers were in marked cruisers with their emergency lights on and were in police uniform.

The PCSO said: “As the officers made contact with Kingos they identified themselves and attempted to take Kingos into custody at the driver’s side door.

“A struggle ensued and Kingos pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and fired at the officers. Kingos then fled the scene on foot.”

Officer McKenzie fired back at the suspect and both cops gave chase on foot.

They continued to “verbally challenge Kingos” before he eventually dropped his weapon and was taken into custody.

The suspect had been shot once in the leg and required first aid while paramedics made their way to the scene.

The police said that Kingos was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and that no officers were injured in the shooting.

When he leaves hospital, Kingos will be taken to Pinellas County Jail and charged with one count of violation of an injunction for protection and two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

The cop involved in the shooting will be placed on paid leave as the St. Petersburg authorities carry out an internal investigation.