Authorities continued to search Monday a gunman they say fired at an officer in Sylmar, then evaded an eight-hour search by SWAT officers and police dogs.

The incident began early Sunday when a San Fernando police officer Olive View-UCLA Medical Center saw the suspect hiding behind a parked car in the 14100 block of Paddock Street, officials said.

When he slowed to get a better look, the suspect shouted a derogatory comment at the officer, pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired at least one round, hitting the officer's patrol car, officials said. The officer was not hurt.

The suspect ran into a nearby apartment building, where a perimeter was set up about 8 a.m. An LAPD SWAT team and canine unit were called in. The search was suspended at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, with no sign of the suspect.

The suspect was described as a clean-shaven Latino, about 16 to 20, 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds. He was wearing a black beanie with a possible Raiders football team logo, a black long-sleeve T-shirt and baggy gray Dickies pants.

Anyone with information was aksed to call the LAPD's Mission Station at 818-838-9800.