Newscopter-7 was above the scene earlier this morning.
A school official says the detective observed the suspect breaking into a car and removing items on campus.
When the officer tried to confront the thief he jumped into another vehicle and attempted to get away. That's when police say he sped up and hit the detective.
The injured detective fired two shots at the fleeing black Honda that hit him.
The Honda was found one mile away from the scene, outside an apartment building in Hillside.
The bullet, fired by the officer, apparently went through the front windshield and shot out the back windshield -- which is completely shattered.
"We found the car right outside of where we live, but nobody saw who was driving. We also saw a lot of police cars," an eyewitness said.
The officer, Eyewitness New is told, was taken to UMDNJ Hospital in Newark and is in good condition.
The search is still on for the driver who hit him.
An investigation continues, and Kean University remains open.
