Maryland officials say a Baltimore police officer shot a man in the face during a traffic stop after the suspect ran his car into a police cruiser.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. Monday night in southwest Baltimore after officers responded to reports of gunfire near Frederick and Augusta avenues, reports The Associated Press. As officers were approaching a car in the area, the driver reversed into the cruiser, pinning the officer against a patrol car.

In response, the officer opened fired, striking the driver. Officials say the man wasn't fatally injured and the officer only sustained minor injuries.

Following the incident, Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis says the man drove around a corner and surrendered, reports WBAL. He also confessed that he was armed with a gun. Police are searching for a passenger who fled the scene.

Earlier that evening, a 21-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the back just before 7 p.m. in the 1800 block of Poplar Grove Street. He was reported to be in critical condition.

Shortly thereafter, a 24-year-old man was left in grave condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body at the 1200 block of Clendenin Street.

Meanwhile, at least 15 shootings and 5 homicides occurred over the weekend.

Earlier this month, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that city Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts was fired following a recent spike in homicides within the city.

Although Mayor Rawlings-Blake thanked Batts for his service, she declared that the troubled city needed a change. She also noted that growing criticism of the commissioner's leadership had become a distraction in the city's effort to move forward.

"We need a change," she said at a news conference, according to The Associated Press. "This was not an easy decision but it is one that is in the best interest of Baltimore. The people of Baltimore deserve better and we're going to get better."

She went on to say that "recent events have placed an intense focus on our police leadership, distracting many from what needs to be our main focus, the fight against crime."