WASHINGTON — An off-duty Prince William County sheriff’s deputy confronting a group of individuals fighting in a Manassas apartment complex shot and wounded one of the suspects, police said Friday.

Officers were called to the Fields of Manassas apartments in the 7400 block of Willoughby Lane around 11:15 p.m. Thursday to investigate calls of gunfire.

When they arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital and later released.

Further investigation revealed that a large group of people had gathered at the apartment complex and were fighting.

Police say that, at some point, someone in the group pulled out a gun and fired multiple times into the air.

That prompted several residents to call the Public Safety Communications Center.

Before Prince William police arrived, a security resident of the apartment complex, identified as an off-duty Prince William County sheriff’s deputy, confronted multiple individuals who were fleeing the scene.

That’s when the deputy, who was armed and not in uniform, fired a handgun and struck the man initially located by officers.

Prince William County police arrived shortly after.

A police K-9 and helicopter from Fairfax County police helped search the area for those involved in the fight. Multiple people were subsequently detained.

The Prince William County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a separate administrative investigation into the incident.

The deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the criminal and administrative investigation.

Below is a map of the area where the incident occurred.

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