An MSU police officer opened fire and struck a 20-year-old man suspected in the attempted heist of $75,000 in laptop computers from a basement laboratory in Kresge Art Center on Sunday night.

It was the first time since 1975 that an officer shot a suspect, said MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor.

The wounded suspect, Verdine Josey, 20, was transported to Lansing's Sparrow Hospital where he was to undergo surgery Monday for non-life-threatening injuries. Police also arrested a second suspect, Larry Richard Shirley, 22, at the scene.

Police officials say officers spotted the men burglarizing the building after responding to a call from students working in the center at about 10:40 p.m. Officers were able to recover more than two dozen stolen laptops.

"Had it not been for them calling in, the university would have been without quite a bit of valuable equipment," McGlothian-Taylor said.

The center is the home of student art laboratories and more than 7,000 works. It did not appear the thieves were targeting artwork, witnesses said.

At least three officers entered the center at about 11 p.m., while others investigated outside, McGlothian-Taylor said.

Inside, an officer shot one of the suspects. Police are investigating whether the suspects were armed and declined to provide information about the extent of injuries.

Both men were charged with breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny and possession of burglary tools. The felony charges carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said.

Dunnings said the men used a cutting torch in the burglary.

Shirley was arraigned and released on $50,000 cash bond.

Neither is affiliated with the university or from the area.

MSU police officials and the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office are looking into the actions of the officer who shot the suspect.

Dunnings said police shootings are rare in this area.

"We have to review the reports to determine whether the officer was involved in any kind of criminal conduct," Dunnings said. "After that is done, MSU police will review the case to see if the officer violated any policies or procedures."

Dunnings said he expects to complete his review this week, unless further information is necessary.

The officer, who hasn't been identified, was placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is examined, which is common procedure in these cases.

"The feeling is that we are thankful there were no officers injured," McGlothian-Taylor said. "Even though the individual was shot, you don't want anybody to die."

Witnesses said the men were using a cutting torch to burn through the locks on laboratory doors.

Elizabeth Rzepka, a graphic design and studio art senior, said Monday that she was among several students working in nearby laboratories during the robbery.

"Two of my friends came in, shut and locked the door and said there were two guys trying to break into the graduate lab down the hall," she said. "One of the guys came and knocked on the door.

"A couple minutes later, we heard what I assume to be a gunshot."

When Rzepka later tried to leave, she said she encountered dark halls and police told her to find an alternate way out of the building as they tended to the suspects.

Rzepka and her friends later learned the thieves tried to steal newly purchased Apple laptops, valued between $2,200 and $3,000 each.

Brian Beute contributed to this report.

Steve Eder can be reached at ederstev@msu.edu.