A transit officer was injured when he was slashed by a knife-wielding man in Coney Island Thursday, and the suspect was subsequently shot and killed, police say.

Investigators say the officer, identified as 24-year-old Fillippo Gugliara, came to the aid of a 78-year-old woman after he encountered her arguing with the suspect, a 58-year-old male.

The suspect took off after the officer intervened and Officer Gugliara gave chase. That's when police say the suspect took out an 11-inch hunting knife and slashed the officer in the neck.

Officials say Gugliara was able to fire off two shots at the suspect, hitting him in the torso. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending the notification of his family.

The officer is in stable condition.

Police officials say a preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect may have first been involved in an altercation in a nearby store, and apparently assaulted the 78-year-old female after she attempted to intervene. Police say the circumstances that prompted the incident remain under investigation.