A Dupo police officer responding to a report of domestic violence at 129 N. Ninth St. shot a 41-year-old man in the chest Monday morning.

The man was transported to a St. Louis area hospital. He was in critical condition Monday, Illinois State Police Lt. James Morrisey said.

State police would not identify the victim, the officer involved or his status with the department. Dupo police would not comment.

Illinois State Police are investigating whether the shooting was justified, but Dupo police are investigating whether charges will be filed against the victim in relation to the domestic disturbance call, Morrisey said.

The Dupo officer responded to the call about 2 a.m.

At the front door of the residence, the officer reported a confrontation with the resident. The officer perceived the man as a threat and shot the man once in the chest, according to police.

Morrisey would not comment on whether the victim had a weapon or specifics about what happened before the shooting. He did say Dupo police have responded to that residence previously.

None of the North Ninth Street residents interviewed Monday said they saw the shooting.

Jimmy Towner, who lives in an apartment building across the street from the shooting, said police have been called out to the victim’s residence before in connection with domestic disputes between the couple.

“”They’re out there fighting once a week,”” Towner said.

Chad Green lives in the same duplex as the shooting victim but in the other unit. He said he heard the shot but wasn’t alarmed.

“”I’m used to hearing ruckus, so I didn’t think much of it,”” Green said.

Green has called police multiple times in the past to respond to alleged domestic violence in the unit, but things had quieted down since he last called Christmas Day, he said.

Neighbors said the man who was shot is a maintenance worker for a landlord who owns several duplexes on the street.

The landlord did not return a call for comment. Multiple attempts to contact the shooting victim’s family were unsuccessful.

The street is generally quiet, said Milton Stokes, who lives next door to the shooting victim’s residence.

“”Actually it’s a small town,”” Stokes said. “”Cops come by (to patrol) here all the time.””

Stokes said he was up watching television with his windows open between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m. when the shooting occurred.

“”I heard two bangs,”” he said.

Stokes first heard a noise loud “”enough to shake the house”” and then heard a muffled noise about 10 to 20 minutes later.

Next thing he knew he heard sirens, and police were soon lining the street.

The shooting would be out of character for Dupo officers, according to Jimmy Francis who lives in a neighboring duplex. He said he knows some of the officers, and they regularly patrol the area and even play with the children.

“”Those cops don’t like to pull their guns out,”” Francis said.