Temple University police officer fatally shot while responding to a ...

A Temple University police officer was fatally shot while responding to a crime near campus Saturday night, officials said.

The university's vice president of public safety, Jennifer Griffin, said this was the first line-of-duty death in the history of the department, according to NBC Philadelphia.

The shooting was reported a few blocks west of the North Philadelphia campus after 7 p.m., according to a Temple University statement.

The university said the officer was shot while trying to apprehend a person suspected in the robbery of a convenience store. The shooting happened several blocks from the store, according to the statement.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw told reporters the officer was shot when he tried to intervene in a carjacking.

The officer was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he died, she said. He was later identified as Christopher Fitzgerald.

"Officer Fitzgerald gave his life protecting the temple community and we are forever indebted to him," the Temple police association said. "He valiantly served the temple community and the people of Philadelphia."

Temple Police said a suspect had been taken into custody Sunday morning. Robert Clark, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal, told NBC Philadelphia that the suspect was arrested with Fitzgerald's handcuffs as part of a "tradition."

"We felt it was important to remember officer Fitzgerald by once again placing his cuffs on the suspect,” Clark said.

Temple University President Jason Wingard said in a statement, issued before Fitzgerald was identified, that he was a victim of “senseless gun violence.”

“There are simply no words that can make sense of this tragedy,” Wingard said. “It tears at our sense of community and safety.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro tweeted that he and first lady Lori Shapiro were "devastated" for the family of the officer who was killed while "bravely serving his community."

 "May his memory be a blessing," Shapiro said.

Dennis Romero

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

Gemma DiCasimirro, Brittany Kubicko and Elizabeth Maline contributed.