Kamloops Mounties have confirmed a suspect is in custody following a shooting that left an experienced officer in critical condition early Wednesday morning.

Supt. Brad Mueller said a 36-year-old man was arrested around 3:30 p.m., hours after Cpl. Jean Rene Michaud was shot during a traffic stop.

Mueller said it appears only one suspect was involved.

“At this point in time we’re confident we’ve made the necessary arrest in this incident,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Police dogs, helicopters and an Emergency Response Team were dispatched to find the alleged shooter, and areas of Kamloops were shut down to aid in the search. Some homes were also evacuated.

The RCMP said residents should expect an ongoing police presence Wednesday evening as officers search for more evidence.

Mueller thanked the public for their support and patience during the startling incident.

“Today’s events are a sobering reminder of the dangers police officers face every day when they’re protecting their respective communities,” he said.

The wounded 40-year-old officer was rushed to Royal Inland Hospital, where he was last listed in critical but stable condition.

Cpl. Michaud, who has more than 13 years’ experience, was conducting a traffic stop on Bachelor Drive around 2:45 a.m. as part of an ongoing investigation when he was shot, according to police.

Another officer nearby raced to the scene and returned fire, but the vehicle fled.

The suspect appears to have been seriously injured during the incident, according to police watchdog the Independent Investigations Office. The IIO, which is tasked with probing all serious and fatal uses of police force in B.C., has been called to Kamloops to investigate that aspect of the case.

Michaud managed to share vital information with investigators before he was taken away by ambulance, Mueller said at an earlier press conference.

“He was able to relay information that was very helpful in the initial stages of our investigation,” Mueller said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague, his wife, his two young children, and the rest of his family.”

He confirmed the officer was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting. It is unclear how many times he was shot.

The suspect vehicle was described as a 1998-model, white, four-door Chrysler Intrepid with B.C. license plate AF7 65A. Mueller wouldn’t confirm whether the car was stolen, but said the owner had been identified and approached by police.