Police: Concealed carry holder opened fire on “aggressive” man in Avondale

A concealed carry holder opened fire on a man who approached him “in an aggressive manner” Wednesday evening in Avondale, police said. But the other man, who was not struck by any bullets, never displayed a gun.

CPD spokesperson Kellie Bartoli said a 37-year-old man was in an alley on the 2900 block of West Belmont around 5:20 p.m. when the other man walked up while reaching into his pockets. The first man, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun, fired several rounds because he thought the stranger had a gun, she said.

Initial information from the scene indicated that the concealed carry holder thought the other man was trying to take a catalytic converter from a vehicle, but police did not confirm that any theft was attempted.

The stranger ran eastbound, got into a white Ford F-150 truck, and sped away.

Bartoli said the concealed carry holder was not injured.

Area Five detectives are investigating.

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