An NYPD officer was shot in the leg Tuesday night after confronting a suspect in Belmont, police say.

The shooting took place around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday near Lorrilard Place and East 187th Street, according to police The NYPD says officers were patrolling the area when they approached a group of people.

A 16-year-old refused to remove his hands from his pockets before a single round was fired from the suspect's gun, police say.

The bullet struck the suspect in the left groin and then hit an officer in the leg. The gun that was fired was a 9 mm firearm stolen from South Carolina in October, according to police.

The teen who fired the gun is a reputed gang member who was arrested back in May 2020 at 14 years old for possession of a gun. Back in October, he was placed on probation. The suspect is now in custody.

The officer was released from the hospital early Wednesday morning with cheers from his colleagues and is now recovering at home.

NYPD Commissioner Keychant Sewells says this is the second time in her 18-day tenure visiting the hospital for an officer shot. Mayor Eric Adams spoke in frustration of the incident Tuesday night saying that help is needed from lawmakers to make the streets safer when it comes to guns.