Quebec provincial police have arrested a 54-year-old man after a police officer was shot while on the job in the Beauce region.
The Sûreté du Québec reported the arrest Wednesday night after a search that lasted hours in the area south of Quebec City.
The shooting occurred around 9:15 a.m. in Ste-Marie, Que., in the Beauce region, after the female officer stopped a vehicle for a highway safety code violation.
Police officer Catherine Giroux, 40, was seriously injured during the incident, according to the force.
“The officer was hit by a projectile and was wounded, but she is out of danger,” Sgt. Louis-Philippe Bibeau told reporters.
READ MORE: Quebec police officer shot during traffic stop in Beauce region
Bibeau said Giroux was able give a description of the suspect and that members of the public provided information that helped police locate the man.
The man fled the scene, according to police, which triggered a manhunt in the region for most of the day. The operation included helicopter, service dogs and appeals for help from the public
The man was arrested around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday on Lacroix Boulevard in St-Georges, Que. Police say loaded firearms were seized from the vehicle.
Investigators met with the suspect, who is from St-Zacharie, after his arrest. He is expected to appear by videoconference at St-Joseph courthouse on Thursday afternoon.
— with files from The Canadian Press