Metro police are investigating after a man was shot on the city's west side in an apparent road rage incident.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - An apparent road rage incident nearly claimed the life of an Indianapolis man late Sunday.

Police aren't saying how or where the rolling confrontation began, but it ended with gunfire in a Speedway gas station parking lot at 52nd Street and Lafayette Road.

It was about 10:30 Sunday night. A nearby security camera showed the station closed and dark. According to IMPD, police officers were already responding to reports of gunfire in the area, when the victim called 911 call for help.

Police and paramedics found 27-year-old Jordan Thomas alive, but shot in the back. Thomas was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital's emergency room.

Investigators found Thomas' car shot up, a tire flattened, and the engine smoking. Emergency responders feared it might set the near by gas pumps on fire.

The shooting occurred at busy intersection, a major thoroughfare for residents, commuters and businesses.

"What bothers me is there's people running around with guns just shooting anything for anything," said Al Kady, who works across the street. "That's not right. It could be me next. You could be next."

"In road rage incidents, there are options," said Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine.

ISP is not investigating this apparent incident road rage incident, but has simple - and possibly life-saving - advice.

If you are the aggressive driver, Sgt. Perrine said calm down.

"You need to slow down," he explained. "Take a deep breath and realize everyone makes mistakes."

If you are the victim, call 911. Take the dispatcher's advice. If you can't call for help, keep driving and don't stop.

"Keep rolling. You don't want to pull over to the side of the road and give them the opportunity to confront you face-to-face," he said.

Exit the interstate or turn onto a new route. That gives the other driver time to calm down. Head towards a police or fire station or a well-lighted, busy place.

"If someone wants to commit a violent act against you, they are likely not going to want to do that with witnesses, security cameras, other people around and potentially police officers," Sgt. Perrine explained.

Investigators haven't released a possible motive for the road rage. The hospital is not releasing information about the victim's condition.