San Diego

A San Diego patrol officer suffered minor injury when he was struck by a bullet shortly before midnight Thursday, according to police spokesman Bill Robinson.

John Lincoln Manke, 23, of the Central Division had stopped a vehicle in the 700 block of 28th Street for questioning. As he was walking the driver back to his car, he heard two shots and felt something strike his lower left leg, Robinson said.

“The officer took cover and when he felt safe, he continued talking to the driver,” Robinson said.

The shot, which ricocheted off the pavement before grazing Manke, appeared to have come from some bushes near the street, he said. The area was checked by police units, but no suspects were found. A bullet casing from a small-caliber gun was found.

Manke sustained a minor flesh wound. He was taken to Physicians & Surgeons Hospital, where he was released after receiving a tetanus shot.