Police: Off-duty cop fires after driver tries to strike him

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are investigating a violent confrontation between a housing authority officer and four men in South Philadelphia.

Investigators say the officer opened fire on a Dodge Charger after the driver reportedly tried to hit the officer with the vehicle.

The incident began around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on the 500 block of South 8th Street.

Police say the driver of the Charger kept stopping traffic.

Behind the Charger was an off-duty housing authority officer in his personal car.

The housing authority officer beeped his horn and told the driver of the Charger to keep moving.

That's when police say a passenger in the Charger got out and aimed a gun at the officer.

The housing authority officer got out of his vehicle, pulled out his gun and identified himself as a police officer.

Police say the driver of the Charger then tried to strike the housing authority officer with his vehicle, causing the officer to discharge his weapon into the windshield of the Charger, missing the driver.

The passenger got back in the Charger, and the vehicle sped off.

The driver and three other men in the car were arrested after police tracked down the vehicle at 6th and Bainbridge streets.