Wounded Officer Released From Hospital : Shooting: A Santa Monica police sergeant is in good condition as authorities continue their investigation.

A Santa Monica police sergeant, shot twice in an exchange of gunfire with a hit-and-run suspect in Van Nuys on Friday, has been released from a hospital in good condition, authorities said Saturday.

Sgt. Ralph (Tim) Bauer, a 23-year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department, was released from Northridge Hospital Medical Center just a few hours after he was shot in the neck and back Friday evening. Authorities said Bauer’s bulletproof vest saved his life.

On Saturday, Los Angeles police officers continued to search for the gun they say was used by Brian Goff, 30, who was arrested shortly after the 8:15 p.m. shooting Friday on Magnolia Boulevard near Coldwater Canyon Avenue.

Bauer, 49, was returning to Santa Monica on his motorcycle after completing an accident investigation in North Hollywood when he was flagged down by motorists at an accident near the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Magnolia, Los Angeles police said.

Witnesses said a man driving a gray Ford Mustang north on Coldwater Canyon at a high rate of speed had collided with another vehicle and then fled on foot down Magnolia.

Witnesses told Bauer that the suspect, later identified as Goff, had been spotted near a phone booth. As Bauer tried to find the suspect, he came under fire from a shadowy area on Magnolia, police said.

Bauer was grazed on his throat by one shot and hit once in the back by another shot. Bauer returned fire, but police said Goff was not struck.

Six to eight rounds were fired in all, police said. Three shots struck Bauer’s motorcycle: in the fuel tank, the windshield and a baggage carrier toward the rear of the motorcycle.

Bauer took cover and used his walkie-talkie to radio for assistance, police said. Goff was apprehended by Los Angeles police several blocks away, near Fulton Avenue and Magnolia. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder. Police declined to release additional details on the suspect.

Bauer was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and was released in good condition at 11:30 p.m. Friday. He could not be reached Saturday.