Two police officers and a 53-year-old suspect were shot in an exchange of gunfire during a traffic stop early today on the West Side.

The officers were each struck in the forearm and taken in good condition to area hospitals, where they were treated and released, said police spokesman Pat Camden.

In addition to suffering a bullet wound to the left forearm, the one officer was struck in the left side of the chest but the bullet did not penetrate his protective vest, Camden said.

The male suspect, who was shot multiple times, underwent surgery and was reported in critical condition at Mt. Sinai Hospital, said police spokesman Pat Camden.

The shootout occurred around 12:45 a.m. at 19th Street and Lawndale Avenue after two uniformed officers with the Ogden District drove to the intersection after hearing gunfire in the area, Camden said.

When they arrived in their squad car, they saw a man inside a van with its headlights turned off. Also there was a squad car with two uniformed officers from the police department's Targeted Response Unit, which works in the city's high-crime neighborhoods.

All four officers exited their squad cars, and one officer from the Ogden District and another with the response unit approached the van and ordered the man to get out. The suspect told them he was a police officer and showed them an identity from a railroad company, Camden said.

When one of the officers tried to pat down the man, the suspect began struggling and allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic handgun.

"He immediately starts fighting with the officers. The fight takes him to the ground, (the) offender pulls a semi-automatic pistol at that point, starts firing at the officers. The officers return fire," Camden said.

Multiple gunshots were fired at close range, injuring the two officers, both men in their 30s, and the suspect, Camden said.

Camden said police were investigating whether the suspect is a security officer with a railroad company.

"We're following up on that," Camden said. But, "we don't think he is."