A Peoria man with a lengthy criminal history was shot during an encounter with police early this morning near the intersection of Griswold and Siebold Streets.

Peoria police say they attempted to stop Carl DeWayne Gore when he was spotted walking with a rifle in his hands near the Harrison Homes just before 1:30 a.m.

Police say an officer requested that the 26-year-old stop, but he refused and attempted to flee the scene.

After repeated attempts police say Gore continued to run and authorities say he had a rifle in his hand.

Police say Gore ran a short distance further, then turned towards the officer raising the rifle in his direction.

Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard said in an afternoon news conference, "The suspect did stop a few feet from the road and brought the rifle up to a two-hand position and began to turn in the officer's direction with the rifle barrel in the air. The officer feared for his life and fired several shots and the suspect was struck twice."

The police shot Gore in the leg and elbow.

According to police records Gore has been arrested 14 times since 2000, mostly on drug charges.

Most recently police arrested him November 2, on possession of a controlled substance.

Gore was scheduled to appear in Peoria County court today on that charge, but he is currently being treated at OSF St. Francis Medical Center for the gunshot wounds.

Gore pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in 2003 and served 20 days in jail for that charge.

The shooting is the third one in less than a week, the others did not involve police.