PD: Man Shoots at Undercover Officer, Claims it was Case of Mistaken Identity

(CBS PHOENIX) PHOENIX- A man is in custody after reportedly shooting at an undercover police officer Wednesday morning.

According to Phoenix police, the man shot at the car the officer was driving near 17th Street and Southern Avenue around 7 a.m. No bullets struck the officer.

The man drove off and the officer pursued him. In his attempt to get away, the suspect crashed into a silver car at 24th Street, damaging the traffic lights.

At this time, police do not believe the man knew he was shooting at an officer.

"He has made some basic statements here on the scene indicating that he did intend to fire the shots, but we believe it's a case of mistaken identity," Sgt. Jonathan Howard said.

"He's alleging that he didn't recognize that it was a police officer and that he thought he was shooting at somebody else that he had a prior contact with," Howard continued.

The undercover officer suffered minor injuries while taking the man into custody. He is being treated at a local hospital. The suspect had some minor injuries from the collision.

The intersection of 24th Street and Southern Avenue was closed while officers investigated.