Off-Duty Cop Hits 4-Year-Old Girl With Motorcycle, Then Shoots Her Dad

Police say he was defending himself.

The Fraternal Order of Police are defending the actions of an off-duty Chicago cop who accidently hit a 4-year-old girl with his motorcycle, then shot and killed her father when he confronted him about it.

The 43-year-old officer, an eight year veteran of the force, was riding his bike when Taniyah Middleton abruptly ran into his path. Trying to avoid the girl, he intentionally ditched his motorcycle, but the bike still skidded into her and her 18-year-old cousin.

The officer, still suffering injuries of his own after jumping off the bike, tried to help the girl. Taniyah's father, Christopher Middleton, saw the incident from a restaurant window and rushed to the scene. When the infuriated father came to check on his daughter, the motorist identified himself as a cop. Middleton punched him in the face, knocking him down. Middleton and the 18-year-old cousin began pummeling the officer.

The cop pulled out his gun, fired once, killing Middleton.

Middleton leaves behind a 6-year-old son and an unborn child, in addition to Taniyah.

Taniyah is still in the hospital recovering from abrasions to her face and body.

Independent Police Review Authority is looking into the shooting.