A Birmingham police officer was fired on Wednesday during a New Year’s Eve crackdown on celebratory gunfire, exhibition driving and other crimes.

The officer and his K-9 partner were patrolling near Center Street and Graymont Avenue about 2:20 a.m. when the officer heard shots fired and believed they came from a nearby vehicle.

“Our officer didn’t think the suspect’s first shots were fired at the police,’’ said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Officer got behind the suspect’s vehicle near the 100 Block of Graymont West.

“The suspect fired multiple shots at our officer,’’ Fitzgerald said. “Our officer fired shots at the suspect.”

The suspect fled the area and eluded capture.

No one was injured, but the shots did damage the police cruiser.

Birmingham 911 dispatchers issued a Max Emergency call over the police radio.

Responding officers were flagged down in the 500 Block of Center Street on a report of two people shot. Officers then saw two men who were inside a vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue rushed both victims to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Homicide and Internal Affairs detectives responded to the scene.

Fitzgerald said investigators have not ruled out that the suspect who fired shots at the officer was the suspect in the double shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.