Off-duty Chicago police officer fires shots at suspect in South Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An off-duty Chicago police officer fired shots at a suspect in the South Chicago neighborhood Wednesday morning, police said.

The off-duty officer was getting ready for work in the 8000-block of South Coles Avenue at about 4:03 a.m. when she discovered an unknown man inside her car and fired shots, police said. The suspect then fled on foot and was not shot, police said.

The off-duty officer was not injured.

Immediately following the incident, investigators taped off the block and went door-to-door to talk to possible witnesses.

Neighbor Rene Stockton said he heard the gunshots.

"I'm an old man, been around for a while," he said. "This is nothing new. We live in an urban environment where people seem to shoot first and ask questions later."

However, given the reported circumstances, he said the off-duty officer made the right call

"When you're in a situation where you have to, you feel your safety is in jeopardy, you do what you have to do," Stockton said.

Another neighbor said the suspect fled south toward 81st Street.

The suspect is not in custody. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.