As he saw the officers, he immediately engaged in gunfire with them.

It's very evident that he was intent on engaging these officers in gunfire, and that he was not concerned with the bullets that were going to be flying in his direction.

There was an exchange of gunfire.

I've never been that close to gunfire.

He told buddies he was going to get a bite, and he didn't return. The next time he was seen, he was in Ceres.

He told buddies he was going to get a bite, and he didn't return, ... The next time he was seen, he was in Ceres.