A Chicago concealed carry license holder shot a man who allegedly tried to run him over with his own stolen vehicle in the South Shore neighborhood. The suspect, later found at a hospital in critical condition, is believed to have been involved in the theft and assault.

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CHICAGO, IL (3-minute read) — A tense and potentially deadly encounter unfolded early Sunday morning in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood when a legal concealed carry holder shot a man who allegedly tried to run him over using the firearm owner’s stolen vehicle.

The incident happened around 7:14 a.m. in an alley behind the 6800 block of South Cornell Avenue. According to police, the firearm owner called 911 after two individuals stole his blue 2023 Acura. But the situation escalated quickly; instead of fleeing the scene, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to hit the owner with the stolen car.

In response, the armed citizen fired at the suspect, striking him. Roughly five minutes later, a 23-year-old man arrived at the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his lower back. He was taken into surgery immediately and was listed in critical condition as of Sunday evening.

Police recovered three shell casings at the scene and questioned the concealed carry license holder later that morning. As of now, no arrests or charges have been reported, and authorities are still working to piece together the full details of the encounter.

Self-Defense Laws and Concealed Carry Responsibility

Illinois is a “shall issue” state for concealed carry, meaning applicants who meet the requirements must be issued a permit. However, the state also has strict regulations regarding the use of deadly force. Self-defense is legally justifiable when a person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.

In this case, the firearm owner may have acted within the boundaries of the law if he truly believed he was in immediate danger of being run over, an act that constitutes a deadly threat. While more details are pending, this incident reflects a growing trend of lawful gun owners using their firearms defensively in urban areas plagued by carjackings and violent crime.

Safety Tip: Always know your local self-defense laws. Understanding when you can and cannot use your firearm can be the difference between lawful defense and legal jeopardy.