The Sûreté du Quebec has taken over the investigation of an early morning shootout involving a Gatineau police officer Wednesday.

Police say an officer was driving by when he heard gunshots from within the Cabaret Taboo on Greber Boulevard.

The officer called for backup and as more police were arriving suspects started to take off on foot.

Police shot one man before he was able to get away.

"They tried to hit the police man with their vehicle and it's for this reason that the police man shot," said Sgt. Christine Coulombe of the Sûreté du Quebec.

A bouncer was shot in the chest inside the club when he tried to break up a fight between a dancer and patron.

Police say his injuries are not life threatening.

A worker, who did not want to be identified, told CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins more than half a dozen shots were fired.

Three people have been arrested.

Area residents not surprised by Gatineau shooting

Residents living close to the club say news of the shooting is not surprising.

"It doesn't necessarily surprise me because this is a rough neighbourhood," said Michal Sirek.

Sirek, like Sebastien Gregoire, lives in Gatineau. Both men say the neighbourhood is far from squeaky clean.

"It's not the neighbourhood I would necessarily want to live in," said Gregoire. "But I wouldn't expect this either way."

This is the third shooting at the club in as many years.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins