(CHICAGO) An off-duty police officer fired shots at a sports-utility vehicle that allegedly was trying to run him over after it rear-ended the cop’s car on the North Side Saturday night, police said.

 

The off-duty officer was stopped at a red light in the 800 block of West Division Street when his car was rear-ended by an SUV about 10 p.m., according to a statement from police News Affairs.

 

After getting out of his car, the officer told the driver of the SUV that he was a cop and that he should follow him to a nearby police station to fill out some paperwork, the statement said.

 

The driver instead hit the gas pedal and drove off, police claim.

 

The officer called 911 and began following the SUV, which was traveling south in an alley just east of Ashland Avenue, the statement said.

 

The officer drove to the other end of the alley and blocked the alley so the SUV could not pass, the statement said. The cop got out of his car and told the driver to park his SUV, the statement said, but the driver allegedly “accelerated toward the officer,” the statement said.

 

Fearing for his safety, the officer took out his gun and opened fire at the SUV, which allegedly shifted into reverse and hit several parked vehicles, the statement said.

 

The man then allegedly ran out of the SUV, the statement said, but officers were able to chase him down and cuff him. Charges were pending Sunday night.

 

The shooting is under investigation by the Independent Police Review Authority, which probes police-involved shootings. 

 

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