Five police officers are shot and injured after trying to serve a warrant at a home in Minnesota: Suspect is now in custody four hours after opening fire

Five police officers have been shot while trying to serve a warrant at a home near Princeton, Minnesota.

The suspect, identified as Karl Thomas Holmberg, 64, began firing on the officers when they entered the property early Thursday morning, police said. 

Officers exchanged gunfire with the man, and a four-hour stand-off ensued. Holmberg has since been taken into custody.

The 'critical incident' left five officers injured in total. Three were rushed to North Memorial Health Hospital, while two were taken to the hospital in St. Cloud.

None of the officers' injuries are understood to be life-threatening, officials said. 

A man claiming to be the best friend of the first officer who was shot told FOX 9 his friend had come out of surgery after being shot twice in the chest and elsewhere on his body.

Five police have been shot and injured during a 'critical incident' in Princeton, Minnesota this morning

The suspect, identified as Karl Thomas Holmberg, 64, began firing on the officers when they entered the property early Thursday morning 

Benton County sheriff’s deputies were present during the incident, but were not injured.

Holmberg was also wounded during the exchange, although the cause and extent of his injuries were not immediately known, Sheriff Troy Heck said. A woman also in the house was taken to hospital for assessment and released.

 'This has been a difficult day for us in Benton County. We’re grateful that the incident did not result in loss of life or further injury,' Heck said, according to KSTP. 'We’re also grateful for the bravery and professionalism of all those law enforcement professionals that were involved in this incident.'

He confirmed two of the officers shot were investigators with Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office. The investigators were shot in their bulletproof vests and have since been treated an released.

Heck added the names of the officers involved would not be released as they were working undercover.

'I’ve talked with my deputies and they are both doing well. I’ve had a chance to talk to my partners and we’re all encouraged by what we’re finding from the officers right now,' Heck said. 

'I think right now I would ask that you keep all of them and their families and all of our agencies in your thoughts and prayers.' 

The incident took place in Glendorado Township, a small community around 15 miles from Princeton

An armed barricade was set up while officers worked to apprehend Holmberg.

The public was urged to avoid the area on 190th Avenue Northeast, but police insisted there was no wider danger.

Scanner audio from Broadcastify captured a torrent of bullets being fired just before 7.15am, KARE 11 reports.  It was followed by a cry of 'shots fired' and 'officer down' seconds later.

Video from the scene shows armed SWAT teams alongside multiple police cars.