By Nancy Ryan, Chicago Tribune
A South Side man was arrested early today on misdemeanor battery and assault charges for allegedly firing a paintball gun at an off-duty Chicago police officer Wednesday night.
The officer was hit in the face by the paintball gun at about 9:30 p.m. when he went behind his home near 73rd and Honore Streets to investigate suspicious noises outside, police spokesman Hector Alfaro said.
The officer thought he had been hit by a real bullet and, seeing a man pointing what appeared to be a black weapon at him, pulled his gun out and fired at the person, Alfaro said. The bullet did not strike the man, who fled.
Police later arrested Dennis Byrd, 20, of the 7200 block of South Damen Avenue, and charged him with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor assault, Alfaro said.