A deputy sheriff in southeastern Nebraska has been released from the hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm after an incident with a motorist early Monday morning.

Richardson County Sheriff Randy Houser says they continue to search for the motorist who shot Deputy Josh Nincehelser. Nincehelser stopped to offer assistance to a driver in a Dodge Neon stopped on 717 Road near Highway 75 at about 2am Monday.

The driver opened fire with a handgun. Nincehelser was able to return fire but the motorist fled.

The deputy started to pursue the fleeing motorist but stopped when he realized he’d been shot. Two shots hit the deputy’s patrol vehicle and one hit the deputy in the arm.

A team from the Nebraska State Patrol, including a patrol helicopter, searched the area for a silver or tan colored Dodge Neon.

Nincehelser was treated overnight and released Tuesday from Bryan LGH Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.