A suspect accused of entering a stranger’s vehicle and ignoring commands from authorities has been shot by a Midland county sheriff’s deputy, according to Midland county sheriff Gary Painter.

The suspect, identified as Julio Perez, 28, of Midland, has been taken into surgery, according to the sheriff. Perez’s condition is unknown.

The incident happened just before 1 a.m. early Sunday, the sheriff says. Deputies were called out in reference to a possible accident on Interstate 20 near mile marker 149. Dispatch also received calls about Perez running into traffic along the south service road, according to a press release.

Witnesses report seeing Perez jump on the hood of a car and then approached another vehicle and tried touching a woman through the window, the sheriff says. Perez then entered that vehicle through a back door and jumped into the driver’s seat as the driver fell out to escape. Sheriff’s deputies say Perez then started to operate the vehicle.

Deputies began giving Perez verbal commands to stop, but Perez started to drive away, according to a press release. The deputy then fired his gun into the windshield, striking the suspect, according to authorities. Perez got out of the car and began walking toward the deputy. Perez continued to ignore commands. The deputy then fired additional rounds, according to the sheriff. Officers on scene tried using tasers, but they were ineffective, the sheriff says. Other officers on scene arrived and had to physically take Perez to the ground and apply first aid until EMS also arrived on scene, according to the sheriff.

Perez was taken to the hospital, according to the sheriff. The Texas Rangers are assisting with this investgiation.