Southie theft suspect allegedly pulled knife on witness, who fired gun at suspect

A witness in South Boston fired a shot Wednesday morning at a suspect who broke into a car; the suspect then allegedly pulled a knife on the witness during a foot chase, authorities said. No one was hit by the gunfire, and no arrests were reported.

The tense episode unfolded at 5:34 a.m., when Boston police were called to the area of West Sixth and F for a person breaking into a vehicle, said Sergeant Detective John Boyle, a department spokesman. While the officers were en route, Boyle said, another call came in for shots fired.

Boyle said a witness at the scene told police that he heard the sound of glass breaking and then saw a man removing a computer case from a parked vehicle. That witness came outside and chased the suspect, who fled on foot.

Then, the witness told police, the suspect turned around in the area of 209 West Sixth St. while brandishing a knife, prompting the witness to fire a single shot, “striking no one,” Boyle said.

He said the suspect remained at large Wednesday afternoon, and police seized the witness’s gun. The witness was licensed to carry a firearm and hasn’t been charged with any crimes, Boyle said. The matter remains under investigation.

The car that the suspect broke into did not belong to the witness, Boyle said. Police recovered ballistics evidence at the scene, he said.