SHAWNEE, Kan. -- An 18-year-old is being held by police in connection with the shooting of a Shawnee officer, police said.

Police were responding to report of shots fired on Park Street early Sunday morning.

As officers approached the yard where the shots were allegedly fired, Alexander Craig Ayers came around the corner of the house and began firing at the officers, police said.

The officer was hit in the upper body but was able to return fire. Ayers was not hit.

Police said the officer was not seriously injured because he was wearing a protective vest.

Ayers, a Shawnee resident, was taken into custody a short time later.

Ayers was charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder.