An intensive manhunt for a man with whom police may have exchanged gunfire Wednesday night ended after six hours early Thursday in Bloomington.

The man was described in police scanner audio as a homicide suspect who allegedly fired shots while being pursued by officers about 9:15 p.m. in the vicinity of 84th Street and Oakland Avenue S.

The search began about 9:30 p.m. Officers from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had the north side of Oakland Avenue, a dead-end street, blocked off at E. 86th Street. Others were searching the area, house to house and yard to yard, according to Bloomington police.

Up to 15 unmarked law enforcement vehicles were at the scene, and a police helicopter hovered overhead. Hennepin County sheriff's deputies joined the operation about 10:30 p.m.

"Police activity in area of Portland to Nicollet, 85th to American," Bloomington police tweeted about 10:30 p.m. "Ongoing active search for a wanted subject. Please stay indoors. [The suspect] was in a car and is now on foot."

A woman who lives near 86th Street and Oakland Avenue S. said she heard two gunshots and then a car peel away with a law enforcement vehicle on its tail.

Pat Pheifer • 612-673-7252