Bridgeport police are asking for the public's help tracking down a suspect who shot a man in the chest while sitting in a car.

The incident occurred 6:30 p.m. Saturday as gunfire rang out on Lafayette Street on the city's South End.

Police say the victim was inside a car when he was struck in the chest, and knew the person who pulled the trigger.

He was rushed to Bridgeport Hospital, where authorities say he was very lucky to pull through, considering how close the bullet came to his vital organs.

Police say surveillance video may have caught the crime in progress.

Community activist Curtis Rushing says the community needs more mentors to teach young people the basic values of hard work, respect for others and the importance of obeying the law.

"If someone's doing something that's affecting you, what are you going to do about it? We can't keep handling it this way. It's not black on black crimes, it's not what on white crimes. It's not white against black,” says Rushing. "Understanding is key. Not where you from, not how much you have, not where you're going, not where you came from – understanding."

What people need to understand, Rushing says, is that for every shooting like this one, there are hundreds of misguided kids in the city who just need direction.

"We got the youth running around still making decisions of their own and they're winging in,” says Rushing. “Be mindful that everything you do has a consequence, everything has a reaction. For every cause, there's an effect."

Cushing says he wants young people need to know there is a way off the streets - by studying, getting a job or joining the military.