MIAMI GARDENS (CBS4) – The search is on for at least two car thieves who fired on Miami Gardens police on Sunday night.

It began around 9:30 p.m. when officers were called to check out a ‘suspicious’ car in the area of NW 159th Street and 22nd Avenue.

“At which time it came back as a stolen vehicle.  It was at this time the passenger side window lowered and shot several rounds at the officer,” said Det. Michael Wright.

The officer drove into a nearby yard to avoid the streaming gun fire, a bullet piercing his front and back windshields.

“I heard the ’boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom’ and that’s when my husband was like ‘Get down they’re shooting’.  And the police car swerved right there,” said Condera Lewis.  “He was like really, really shaken up.  He wasn’t even able to return fire.  It was just crazy.”

The stolen car, which then sped off, was found several blocks away in the area of 151st Street and 25th Avenue.

“If he shot at an officer he’ll shoot at another officer and he’ll shoot at a family.  And we have several daycares, several businesses, and several schools.  We want to get this guy, this individual off the street,” said Wright.

Police aren’t the only one who hope they’ll find the shooter quickly.

“You just got to be concerned about the kids and neighborhood and stuff,” said Avery Wilson who lives in the neighborhood.

Blanche Courtney has lived in Miami Gardens all her life.  She said she’s watched as 22^nd Avenue has become more than a dirt road.  Now banks are foreclosing on her neighbors and thugs are opening fire on police officers.

“Oh my God.  Now if they are going to start shooting at the crime people that are trying to protect us so what are we going to do now,” said Courtney.