A man shot in uptown Collinsville Saturday afternoon sustained just a bruise to his leg when the only bullet on target hit a cell phone in the pocket of his blue jeans.

Photo by Roger Starkey

The victim and suspect, whose names have not yet been released, were drinking alcohol outside the apartment building in which they both reside, in an alleyway near Clay and Aurora streets, when they got into an argument. The suspect allegedly pulled out a revolver and fired several shots at the victim from a distance of several feet, Detective Bud Jeremias said

One shot pierced the victim’s blue jeans, but was deflected by a cell phone he was carrying in his front pocket. The victim suffered a bruise, but no further injury. He did not seek medical treatment.

The suspect, who is known to police, fled the scene in a maroon minivan. An Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network bulletin was issued to surrounding agencies with information about the suspect. Detective Bud Jeremias said there is no danger to the general public and that he is confident the male suspect will be in custody soon.

Evidence recovered from the scene included a pair of blue jeans with a bullet hole on the outside of the pants and multiple objects that appeared to be bullets. The weapon used in the shooting has not yet been recovered, Jeremias said.