By Jeff Harrell

South Bend Tribune

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A South Bend police officer working a routine investigation Sunday morning suddenly found himself the target of gunfire from a passing car.

Shots were fired at the officer as he was taking a vandalism report in the 1800 block of Brookfield Street at around 5:30 a.m., said South Bend Police spokesman Lt. Joe Galea.

“No one was injured,” Galea said, adding that the officer “heard shots fired” then saw “a vehicle speeding out of the area.” The officer and a witness in the area described the vehicle as a late-model red, four-door Ford Focus, Galea noted.

South Bend police responded to the scene near Brookfield and Hamilton Street, where they found “a bunch of shell casings,” Galea said.

Galea said the South Bend officer was apparently targeted at random.

The incident occurred just two days after Texas sheriff’s Deputy Darren H. Goforth was gunned down execution-style as he was fueling his patrol car near Houston. That suspect, identified as Shannon J. Miles, was arrested on Saturday.

“You always got to be aware of your surroundings,” Galea replied when asked if South Bend police have been on high alert in light of the Texas shooting. “You just keep your guard up, because it could happen anywhere or anytime.”

Galea is urging anyone with information on the shooting, or the red, four-door Ford Focus seen leaving the area to contact Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP or 800-342-STOP.

Copyright 2015 the South Bend Tribune