A Colorado Springs man fired a shotgun round into his neighbor’s knee Monday night during a fight, police say.

The shooting happened about 6:45 p.m. on the 300 block of North Institute Street where the two men had been arguing and physically fighting throughout the evening.

The shooter told police that during the altercation, he armed himself with the gun because he feared for his safety.

“When the arguing continued and the resident felt threatened, he fired one shot, striking the other man in the knee,” police say the man told them.

Police say “no clear account” of the confrontation has been obtained. Investigators plan to submit their investigation to prosecutors for review.

The victim lives in a cottage behind the shooter’s home, police said.

No charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning.

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul