A Whitehall Township police officer was shot while responding to a burglary call early Saturday morning.

Township police Chief Michael Marks said, during a news conference later that afternoon, township police were dispatched 2 a.m. to 4117 Main St. for a report of a burglary in progress.

The owner of the unoccupied home, William Sturtevant, 46, of 3007 Hokendauqua St., reported to Lehigh County Radio Dispatch he was at the home, intruders were in the home and he was armed and hiding inside a closet.

Officers arrived on the scene and, before entering the basement, announced their presence.

Marks said officers entered a rear open basement door and searched for the suspect. As officers approached the first-floor staircase, they were allegedly fired upon by Sturtevant.

One officer was shot in the thigh by pellets fired by Sturtevant, Marks said. Responding officers applied a tourniquet to the officer’s wound to control the bleeding.

The officer was transported to an area hospital, where he is currently in stable condition in the ICU, Marks said.

Township police, Marks noted, did not return fire or discharge their weapons during the incident.

Sturtevant was immediately placed in custody by township police.

According to District Attorney James Martin, Sturtevant has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one a felony of the first degree and the other a felony of the second degree. Also, Sturtevant has been charged with assault of a law enforcement officer, a felony of the first degree, and recklessly endangering another person, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

“This was an unoccupied home that he used deadly force to protect property, which he can’t do,” Martin said. “You can’t be a vigilante.”

Sturtevant was arraigned at Lehigh County Central Book Saturday.

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, Martin added.