SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A San Diego Harbor Police officer was shot during a gunfight with a man suspected in a deadly shooting that occurred downtown in Little Italy about an hour earlier.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said SDPD officers responded to a reported shooting around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of Union Street, where a man and woman were killed and a suspected gunman was on the loose.

According to SDPD Captain Manny Del Toro, the shooter was a man wearing a green shirt and jeans, and this description was sent to law enforcement agencies citywide. Police believe the attacker knew the man and woman.

About 45 minutes later, Port Police officers assisting in the search located what was believed to be the suspected gunman shooting at Union Street at Juniper Street and Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy, according to Wahl.

Port Police officers encountered a “blatant and aggressive” individual wearing tactical pants and boots, according to del Toro. The man had a knife and was carrying a gun.

During the confrontation, gunfire was exchanged, with a Port Police officer being shot in the hip and the suspect being hit by police officers’ gunfire. SDPD officials said three officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and multiple shots were fired at the officers.

Del Toro said it is unclear at this point whether the suspect or the officers fired first.

The injured officer was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center. Port of San Diego Port Police Chief Magda Fernandez said the officer recovered from surgery just before noon and is currently recovering.

He says he was “alert, alert and in good spirits” before the surgery.

Port police are not releasing the identity of the officer at this point; however, Fernandez confirmed that he was a field intern who had been on duty for three months. Fernandez said a field training officer was with him at the time of the shooting.

WATCH: Fernandez thanked all police officers who responded quickly to the incident

WATCH: Port Police Chief gives update on officer’s condition

Wahl said at the press conference that the suspect was also hospitalized with an unknown condition.

SDPD officials told ABC 10News around 11:40 a.m. the suspect died at the hospital. They described him as a 26-year-old white man.

“This could have been much worse. I have to congratulate the Port Police Department officers on their response and the way they engaged the suspect. This is Little Italy; there are people walking the streets, cafes… I believe the ability to run into gunfire and bravely engage this person saves lives.” Wahl said.

The motive for the shooting on Union Street is under investigation by SDPD Homicide detectives. The victims have not yet been identified, but at a press conference at 2:30 p.m., SDPD said one was a 39-year-old Hispanic man and the other was a 31-year-old Hispanic woman.

According to the investigation, certain roads were closed throughout the day as police asked the public to avoid the following areas:

• Kettner Boulevard between W. Ivy and Laurel streets
• Union Street, between W. Ash and W. A streets
• intersection of Union and W. Ash streets

WATCH: You can see the ABC 10News team’s coverage of the attacks on our 11 a.m. newscast.

TEAM RIGHTS: Port Police officer injured, 2 killed in multiple shootings in Little Italy area