Man Shot By Police For Allegedly Pointing Fake Gun Now Charged With Assault

A Chicago man was shot by Chicago police Saturday after he allegedly pointed a fake gun at officers during a foot pursuit.

About 3 p.m. Saturday, officers were on a tactical mission near 71st Street and St. Lawrence Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood when a man exited a nearby liquor store and began running when he spotted police, according to a statement from Police News Affairs.

Officers gave chase and the man allegedly jumped a fence in the 7000 block of South Saint Lawrence, before drawing a weapon from his waistband and pointing it at the pursuing cops, police told the Chicago Sun-Times. "In fear of their lives," the officers fired on the man, the Sun-Times reports.

It turned out that Brandon Burns, who was shot in his legs, was brandishing a fake weapon, police said. Officers also found marijuana on his person after a search.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Burns, 20, is now charged with one count of possession of cannabis and two counts of aggravated assault to a police officer, all misdemeanors. No officers were injured in the chase, but threatening a police officer with a weapon (real or fake) constitutes assault.

Prosecutors declined felony charges against Burns, according to the Tribune.