A man who was shot by an off-duty police officer at the Tucson Mall was suspected of stealing several hundred dollars worth of clothing.
The man and two others were walking out of Sears Thursday around 4:30 p.m. when they were confronted by a Tucson police officer who was working security at the mall, said Sgt. Fabian Pacheco, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
The trio ran out to the parking lot toward a red two-door sedan. The officer went after one of the men who got into the passenger side and a struggle ensued, Pacheco said.
The driver turned on the vehicle and put it in reverse, Pacheco said.
The officer told the driver to stop, but he did not and the officer was bumped backwards, Pacheco said.
The officer had his gun out and fired it at the driver, striking him in the right leg.
People are also reading…
The men then drove away, striking another vehicle in the parking lot.
Police spotted the car turning in to an apartment complex in the 3800 block of North Flowing Wells Road where all three were detained, Pacheco said.
The driver was taken to a hospital where he remained Friday afternoon.
No arrests have been made as the incident is still under investigation, Pacheco said.
The name of the officer was not released.
