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Off-duty cop opens fire after gun-toting motorist tries to hit him

An off-duty Philadelphia Housing Authority police officer opened fire on a 23-year-old man who allegedly tried to run him down with a car in Center City around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, according to police.

An off-duty Philadelphia Housing Authority police officer opened fire on a 23-year-old man who allegedly tried to run him down with a car in Center City around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, according to police.

After the officer honked his horn at the suspect in an attempt to get him to move his 2012 Dodge Charger on 8th Street near Lombard, police said, the man in the Charger pulled a gun and pointed it at the officer. The off-duty cop then identified himself and pulled his own gun. The suspect then jumped back into his car and drove toward the officer, police said, prompting the cop to dodge the car and open fire on it, shooting through the windshield.

After the off-duty officer alerted police on 8th street near South, they tracked down the suspect and took him into custody at 6th street near Bainbridge, according to police.

Cops at the scene found a gun inside the suspect's car and determined he did not have a permit to carry, police said. The suspect's name has not yet been released.

- Patricia Madej