CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Investigators used flashlights early this morning to search the ground of a North Tryon gas station where shots were fired between Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and a suspect wearing a bulletproof vest.

At 9 a.m. Friday a Charlotte Mecklenburg police helicopter circled the gas station for about 15 minutes taking pictures of the crime scene. And a few hours later homicide detectives went to the Texaco to get a copy of the gas station's surveillance video as they continue to investigate.

The shooting happened at about 8:45 p.m. Thursday near a Texaco gas station on North Tryon Street near East Sugar Creek Road.

CMPD says the officer noticed an expired license plate on a van and attempted to pull the vehicle over at 36th Street and North Tryon. According to CMPD, the driver, identified as Donald Ray Oakes Jr., would not stop.

James Jordan saw officers following the white conversion van.

“He wasn't speeding. He wasn't running lights or anything like that. He was just going at a normal speed, but was refusing to stop,” Jordan observed.

The driver of the van continued for about six minutes before stopping at the Texaco.

Oakes, who was the only person inside the van, got out of the vehicle, showed a gun and fired two shots at the officer, hitting his patrol car, according to police.

Police say the officer returned fire, striking Oakes at least once.

“We still don't know or quite understand why he refused to stop or why he exited the vehicle firing at the officers,” said CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe.

One officer was cut by broken glass after a bullet struck a window. The officer was treated and released from the hospital.

Oakes was wearing a bulletproof vest, according to police, and was alert and talking when he was taken to Carolinas Medical Center. He is currently listed in critical condition.

CMPD says the van is registered to someone associated with Oakes. Oakes has been charged with six counts of attempted murder.

As is standard procedure with officer-involved shootings, all six officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave. The officers have been identified by the department as D.R. Kennerly, K.A. Bynoe, J. Allman with the North Tryon Division; A.A. Demaiorbus, C.N. Denton, and M.J. Ford with the West Service Area Crime Reduction Unit.