WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans police officer remains hospitalized in intensive care after being shot.

Police say Officer John Passaro was shot about 7:15 a.m. Saturday after entering a Dollar General store in the Bywater neighborhood where a robbery had been reported.

A robber had forced three employees into the office at gunpoint and ordered workers to empty two safes for him. When Passaro announced himself, the robber opened the office door and shot Passaro twice.

Authorities searched unsuccessfully for hours for the suspected shooter, assisted by a helicopter, K-9 units and SWAT officers. The St. Claude Avenue bridge over the Industrial Canal was closed.

Police say a Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputy who was shopping at the store with his wife picked up the injured officer's radio and reported the shooting.