Topsham police shot a man who allegedly brandished a machete early Tuesday morning on the Route 196 bridge that connects Topsham and Brunswick.

Joseph Mendez, 33, was wounded and in critical condition, a spokesperson for Maine Medical Center in Portland said.

The incident started early Tuesday morning when Mendez called dispatchers “thanking them for their service” and saying “they would be finding him soon,” according to the Topsham police.

The dispatcher traced the call to the Merrymeeting Bridge, and officers Mathew Bowers and Fraiser Vachon went to the scene.

“Mr. Mendez did not respond to commands and instead advanced towards officers brandishing a machete and was shot,” police said in a news release. “Mr. Mendez continued to resist and failed to follow commands and was eventually tased before being taken into custody by Brunswick and Topsham Police Department.”

Mendez was taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick before being transferred to Maine Med.

Officers Bowers and Fraiser have both been placed on administrative leave until the Attorney General’s Office reviews the shooting, which is standard practice.

Topsham police said they hadn’t yet determined Tuesday morning what criminal charges might follow for Mendez.

Topsham police announced the bridge closure at 4 a.m., diverting Route 1 traffic through downtown Brunswick. It was reopen by 9:45 a.m.

This story will be updated.