D.C. police said an officer shot and wounded an armed man while patrolling downtown Monday evening.

Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said officers were in the 900 block of F Street NW around 8:30 p.m. when they tried to stop a man who appeared to have a gun on him.

Authorities said the man took off running when police approached him.

“As the officers were attempting to stop an individual, a firearm was displayed,” Chief Carroll said. 

A responding officer was able to stop the suspect by shooting him in the “lower extremities,” the chief said.

Police said the man suffered a minor wound and was taken to a hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

A gun was recovered from the scene.   

Chief Carroll didn’t elaborate on what he meant when he said a “firearm was displayed” during the interaction between the suspect and the officers.

He said there’s no indication that the man shot at the officers.

Police are investigating what prompted the officer to shoot the man.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.