PALM BAY, Fla. — A suspect is in critical condition Friday afternoon after Palm Bay police responded to what investigators called an “armed domestic disturbance” near Jefferson Avenue NW.

Officers answered a 911 call for a "suspicious incident," at 9:13 a.m., and shortly after arriving, they heard shots from inside the residence, authorities said.

The suspect, 29-year-old Joseph Fleming, walked out of the home and fired shots at three officers, police said in a statement. Officers returned fire, and Fleming fled, running past houses in the neighborhood, according to authorities. After an extensive search, the Brevard County Aviation Unit located the suspect nearby, with injuries, police said.

Fleming was airlifted to a local trauma center, according to authorities.

Officers found a female victim dead inside the home from which Fleming fled, police said. A preliminary investigation suggests the incident was domestic, investigators said.

The officers were not hurt, and they were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident, police said.