Misdemeanor assault charges have been filed against an off-duty Chicago police officer who was arrested Tuesday after he became combative with officers who responded to a shooting inside his Southwest Side home.

Citing union contract restrictions, police declined to identify the officer, who has been freed on bail.

The shooting happened in the officer's home in the 10700 block of South Troy Street at about 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to a statement from Chicago police. The officer phoned 911 to report that a man had been shot in the head inside the home, police said.

The victim was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

The officer's weapon was used in the shooting, said a law-enforcement source, who indicated the victim was a friend of the officer's.

Another source said the officer told police the victim had grabbed his gun and shot himself in the head.The department is continuing to investigate the shooting, and tests are pending, the source said.

Chicago detectives, the department's Internal Affairs Division and the Independent Police Review Authority are investigating the incident.

The officer, a veteran of six years on the force, has been stripped of his police powers.
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