Officers fired at the woman but missed after she brandished the weapon at the parking facility at the edge of a downtown plaza shared by City Hall, police Chief David Nisleit told reporters.

In announcing the woman's arrest, police said the scene was secure and there was no threat to the area near the San Diego Rock `n' Roll Marathon, which brought thousands of people downtown along with a heavy police presence. Organizers said there were 27,000 registered runners in the marathon and half-marathon.

The race was halted for about 10 minutes and rerouted, marathon officials said.

The suspect, identified by police as Mona Elease Williams, 58, threw the weapon from the top of the structure to the street below before being taken into custody, Nisleit said. It was unclear what type of weapon it was, but investigators were looking into whether it was a pellet gun that resembles the real thing.

She was booked on a charge of felony resisting arrest, police said. It was not immediately known if Williams had an attorney who could comment on her behalf.

Police said they initially suspected the woman might have been linked to a kidnapping investigation in Chula Vista, but later Sunday a department spokesman said the two incidents appeared to be unrelated.

The incident began shortly before 11 a.m. local time as a call about a hit-and-run, officials said. A number of streets were closed after police chased the woman driving a white sedan into the parking structure.

The chief said the wounded officer's gun accidentally discharged and he was struck once in the lower leg. He was expected to fully recover. Officers fired at least two shots at the woman after she pointed the weapon at them, Nisleit said.

Initially, police received calls of an "active shooter" and said that the woman had fired her weapon, but Nisleit did not confirm that during a press briefing.

The marathon course weaves its way through the city and also includes a half-marathon and a 5K.

Runner Fabian Tabares, 49, finished the race for the second year in a row and then heard the news that an armed suspect was arrested only two blocks from the route.

"I'm surprised to hear that but since I'm slow, luckily I was not affected," he said, adding that it was a well-organized event and felt safe. "I'll be back next year to do it again."

Marathoner Beth Grew, 40, of Yuma, Arizona, said she had no idea the race was delayed.

"Oh my God. That's so scary," she said after finishing and learning about the shooting.