SOUTH BEND – A 21-year-old man was beaten and shot in the leg Thursday night after he didn’t light a man’s cigarette, according to police.

Police were called to a home in the 1100 block of North Fremont Street about 10:12 p.m., and found the man, who lives nearby, with cuts on his face, his teeth knocked out and a gunshot wound in the leg.

The man and his girlfriend, who lives at the home, told police that they were sitting on the porch when they were approached by two men in dark clothing.

The victim climbed down from the porch to talk with the men and was asked to light a cigarette, according to police.

The victim told police that when he didn’t produce a lighter, the two men pulled out guns and began hitting him on the head, eventually knocking out at least two teeth.

One of the two men – whose descriptions were only vaguely described to police – then shot the victim in the leg.

The girlfriend told police that she started running, but turned around to see both men fleeing north on Fremont.

Police say both the girlfriend and the victim had no idea who the suspects are.

The man was treated at a local hospital, police said.