An Urbana man was taken to jail following a shooting incident in the downtown area of Urbana early Wednesday night.

According to a press release, an off-duty St. Paris police officer was driving by an alleyway on the east side of the 100 block of South Main Street about 8:35 p.m. and witnessed a man with a gun in an argument.

As Urbana officers approached the area, a shot was fired and the man fled on foot. It’s believed no one was struck by the gunfire, alleged to have been fired by Michael A. Dean, 29, of 1063 S. Main St.

A few minutes after the shooting, a Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy located Dean in the area of the 400 block of South Kenton Street and detained him.

The gun used in the shooting was discarded during his escape, but was recovered and taken as evidence, police said.

He was booked into the Tri-County Jail pending felony charges of having weapons while under disability, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of criminal tools, illegal possession of a firearm on liquor permit premises and tampering with evidence and misdemeanor discharging firearms. He’s expected to appear in Champaign County Municipal Court.

According to police, Dean was recently released from prison and has an extensive criminal history including convictions for felonious assault and assault on a police officer.

Ohio wildlife officers assisted in the search for the suspect.