A 22-year-old man, Sharod Grafton Jr., has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting an Indiana police officer who had stopped to help him.

Authorities said LaPorte County Sheriff’s officer Jon Samuelson picked Grafton up as a stranded motorist and later took him to a hospital in Michigan City.

At the hospital, the officer reportedly learned of suspected criminal activity linked to Grafton, leading to a confrontation.

During the altercation, police say Grafton pulled a gun and shot Samuelson three times, People.com has reported.

The officer underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, while Grafton faces multiple charges including attempted murder and battery against a public safety official.