PORT ST. LUCIE — A 27-year veteran of the Port St. Lucie Police Department remained in serious condition at HCA Florida Lawnwood Medical Center on Dec. 2 after being shot twice in the face during a mental health-related neighbor dispute in Tradition the day before, according to police.

Sgt. Erik LeVasseur was among six officers who responded around 6:08 p.m. Dec. 1 to a reported disturbance in the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive in the Town Park at Tradition gated community, police said.

Officers were immediately met with a suspect, who was armed with what is believed to have been an AK-47 assault rifle.

The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Frankie Salvatore Riccio, disregarded several verbal commands given through a police patrol vehicle’s PA system and began shooting at several of the officers, who returned fire, according to police reports.

During the exchange of gunfire, LaVasseur sustained two gunshot wounds to the face.

Riccio opened fire a second time and attempted to flank officers, who were using a patrol vehicle as cover, by repositioning himself at a vantage point and firing at officers in close quarters, according to police reports.

Officers returned fire and Riccio, struck by the gunfire, was fatally wounded, according to police reports. Several shell casings were later found at the scene.

LeVasseur was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce where he underwent surgery, according to police reports. The medical staff at HCA Florida Lawnwood is optimistic about LaVasseur’s recovery, according to police reports.

“It’s the notification that you just dread every day but it’s always in the back of your mind as a police chief, as a leader in law enforcement, something you’re always very aware of, afraid of, concerned for and then it happens,” Chief Leon Niemczyk said in a press conference outside the hospital while LaVasseur was in surgery. “All you can do is say prayers and make sure all the best services are provided and make sure that the investigation is handled appropriately.”

A couple of other officers were transported to Lawnwood “out of an abundance of caution but were not injured to my knowledge,” Niemczyk said

Florida Department of Law Enforcement was notified and is on scene conducting an independent investigation, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, according to police reports.

There is no ongoing threat to the public or surrounding neighborhoods, according to police reports. The area has been secured by law enforcement. The investigation is active and is continuing.