Police A.D.'s

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Fla. deputy accidentally shoots suspect in face

The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, FL — Two suspects seen taking six pairs of Nikes from a Colonial Drive shoe store Sunday afternoon fled in a vehicle but were arrested shortly thereafter, thanks to a cell-phone call from a citizen who followed them in her car.

During the subsequent arrest, in which the suspects were ordered to the ground at gunpoint, a sheriff deputy’s shotgun accidentally discharged, with one of the suspects slightly wounded from a pellet or pellets hitting him in the cheek, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office report.

The manager of the Shoe Carnival Store at 7649 W. Colonial Drive would not comment on the incident, other than to say it had been a citizen, rather than a store employee, who followed the suspects and called in the report.

The injured suspect was taken to the Health Central hospital in Ocoee where he was treated for his injury.

Copyright 2008 The Orlando Sentinel

[Brad VanHorn]

To be honest I hope there's more to the story than this explanation. If there were a struggle or fight of some sort, then I could possibly understand an unintended discharge - though I still would think it rather negligent. If the situation was compliant, then I would not treat that Deputy with much mercy - I have little tolerance for a "professional" that cannot control his/her weapon.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

A similar incident happened a few years ago when a Connecticut State Trooper pulled a guy over and shot him in the neck with Glock. :eek: I think the guy died...

The Trooper said the "gun went off" and the investigation concluded that, "Glocks are known for doing that". :rolleyes:

No charges were brought against the officer. :confused: You bet your ass they'd hang one of us if we did that. Can you say, "Double Standard" :mad:

[Michael Thompson]

I have actually seen a video out there someplace where a female officer has a suspect on the ground and appears to look at someone talking to her and she discharges her glock into the pavement.

I'll see if I can locate it again.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Yeah, that was Las Vegas, PD. Her partner had the perp lying face down on the ground while he cuffed him. She A.D.'d a few inches away from the perps head, fragging her partner! :eek:

[Joe Ford]

And you guys wonder why I have a coniption about weapon mounted lights.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(District of Columba)

Police Officer Shoots Herself in the Foot
March 22, 2008 - 7:21pm

WASHINGTON— A D.C. police officer accidentally shot herself in the foot Saturday while trying to chase some suspects in connection with a gas station robbery.

D.C. Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes said members of a robbery surveillance detail saw three men breaking into a car while its owner was inside a BP station at New York and Fairview Avenues around 1:30 Saturday afternoon.

When the officers tried to make an arrest, the three men allegedly drove off at high speed, striking two other vehicles. Officers chased the men for several blocks.

Once police caught up with the suspects a struggle followed, resulting in the officer shooting herself in the foot.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(Mississippi)

Wiggins Officer Shoots Himself, But Nabs Carjacking Suspect
Posted: April 15, 2008 06:04 PM
Updated: April 15, 2008 06:04 PM

WIGGINS (WLOX) -- A Tuesday afternoon carjacking in Wiggins erupted in gunfire and left an officer injured.

It started when a woman reported to police that a man with a gun took her car in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot on Highway 49. When officers found the car and the suspect inside a nearby carwash, they blocked him in.

That's when police say the man rammed the police car in front, then backed up and rammed a second police car. The second officer was out of his car with his gun drawn. The gun went off, shooting the officer in his hand. The injured officer then fired into the car wash, and the suspect surrendered.

Colin Forbish, 25, of Wiggins was arrested. The officer who shot himself in the hand was treated and is already back on the job.

All content © Copyright 2000 - 2008 WorldNow and WLOX, a Raycom Media Station.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Kentucky cop accidentally shoots man; meant to draw Taser :confused:

By Greg Kocher
The Kentucky Herald-Leader NICHOLASVILLE, Kent. — A Nicholasville police officer accidentally shot a man Thursday afternoon while trying to break up a scuffle outside the police department.

Lt. Bill Jones, a 13-year veteran of the department, was trying to stop the fight when the shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. Police said Jones intended to use his Taser to stop the fight, but he mistakenly drew his firearm and shot the man one time in the side.
Nathan MacLaren of Baytown, Texas, identified the man who was shot as Michael McCarty. MacLaren was fighting with McCarty. MacLaren is the boyfriend of McCarty's soon-to-be ex-wife, he said, and they intended to take McCarty's 8-year-old son back to Texas. During the scuffle, MacLaren said, he heard a pop sound, but he didn't know where it came from. McCarty's medical condition was not immediately available.

[Joe Simone]

NH police officer’s gun fires, bullet hits 2nd officer
By Associated Press
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Added 3h ago

CONCORD, N.H. - Authorities say a Concord police officer’s gun discharged and a bullet struck a fellow officer, who was wearing a protective vest and suffered minor injuries.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Strelzin says the officers were inside the Granite State Credit Union Building in Concord at 4:30 a.m. today when one of the officer’s handguns discharged.

The fellow officer was struck in the chest. He was wearing a bulletproof vest. The officer was treated and released from Concord Hospital. No one else was hurt.

Strelzin said he couldn’t comment on what brought the officers to the building.

Per protocol, the attorney general’s office, the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharged firearm.

© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

PLEASE NOTE: I am once again tracking Police A.D. (Accidental Discharge) incidents starting as of April 2008. This is in NOWAY meant to be a slam on our Nations LEO's (hell, I used to be one) but I am merely reporting the truth here. This is CLEARLY a training issue!!!! :( And YES, I have an agenda. It's to make EVERYONE a BETTER and SAFER shooter!! :cool:


Cop fatally shoots self while preparing duty belt

The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine — A nine-year veteran of the Portland Police Department died of injuries after his handgun discharged in what police described yesterday as a tragic accident.

Sergeant Robert Johnsey was apparently preparing his duty weapon for his next shift when it accidentally discharged late Monday at his home in Westbrook, wounding him in the leg, investigators concluded. Johnsey died a short time later at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Portland’s police chief, Timothy Burton, made the announcement, calling Johnsey’s death a sad and tragic moment for his department.

Westbrook’s police chief, William Baker, whose department led the investigation, said evidence at the scene clearly indicated that Johnsey’s Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun went off accidentally.

“Our preliminary assessment led me to conclude that Sergeant Johnsey was doing something that all of us in law enforcement do 240 times a year – that is, getting our duty belts ready for the next day of work,” Baker said.

After a 911 call from Johnsey’s wife about 11:30 p.m., Westbrook officers arrived and found the officer unconscious. They administered first aid until an ambulance arrived and transported Johnsey to the Portland hospital, where he died just before midnight.

Burton said it was likely that the bullet hit an artery. The state Medical Examiner’s Office will still investigate the death. Routine procedure calls for the medical examiner to classify such deaths as suspicious and for Maine State Police to investigate, he said.

At the time of the his death, Johnsey, 37, was assigned to the department’s directed patrol unit and was supervisor of the canine unit. He served as a member of the honor guard and the crisis intervention team.

Officers in uniform and plainclothes lined the back of the auditorium at police headquarters during the news conference in which Burton said the department had lost a kindhearted friend.

Johnsey’s death occurred as his department was dealing with the emotional trauma arising from the fatal shooting of a felon by Officer Nicholas Goodman during a traffic stop Saturday night. Police said the motorist tried to drive away, dragging Goodman and injuring his backup officer. The attorney general’s office is investigating the shooting.

Burton said the officers are deeply affected by the tragedies but understand that as professionals they must continue to devote themselves toward their goal of providing for the safety of people in Portland. “We face this together, we console ourselves, and we move forward,” the chief said.

Johnsey leaves his wife, Carol, and their two children, Rachel, 12, and Alexander Joseph, 9.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

LA officer injured on shooting range


The New Orleans Times-Picayune


JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputy suffered a minor injury when a weapon discharged during a training exercise in Plaquemines Parish on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.


Officer David Roddy, a 16-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during the exercise, said Col. John Fortunato, JPSO spokesman.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Officer Shoots Self During Firearms Training

UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY - A police officer from Littleton was injured Wednesday when he accidentally fired a bullet into his own leg.

The Littleton Police Department says the officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while re-holstering his handgun during live-fire exercises at about 8:15 a.m. at the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility in unincorporated Douglas County.

Several other officers were on the firing line to witness the accident. No other injuries were reported in the incident, according to police.

The officer was given emergency first-aid treatment at the scene by Littleton Police range staff and was then treated by the Littleton Fire/Rescue personnel.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

MA Officer's gun goes off during safety class! :eek:


NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A firearms instructor in southern Massachusetts has been assigned to other duties after his gun accidentally went off while he was teaching a class on weapons safety.

Officials say the Glock handgun discharged while Maj. Donald Lamar was demonstrating to Bristol County deputy sheriffs how to safely holster the weapon.

The bullet ripped a hole in Lamar's pants but missed his leg and foot.

Sheriff Thomas Hodgson says the officer made a "gross error in judgment" by not emptying the weapon before the class last week.

Lamar, a certified firearms instructor since 2005, was transferred to another division and will not carry a firearm while the incident is being investigated.

[Larry Talbott]

No, they are wrong. It has nothing to do with not unloading the weapon.

He put his finger on the trigger. No part of reholstering a weapon requiers you to have a finger on the trigger.

I am sure this will stir up the glocks are dangerous crowd. :rolleyes:

[Joe Ford]

Did you notice out of all those reports only one says the officer shot himself ? All the rest say "The gun did it" . Like all by itself it jumped up ran around and shot itself.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Police officer accidentally shoots another

A Kansas City police officer suffered injuries to his thumb and his face when another officer accidentally shot him early this morning.


According to Kansas City Police Capt. Rich Lockhart, the officers were responding about 1:30 a.m. to a report of a man shooting a rifle in the street in the 5600 block of Brooklyn Avenue. They found a 22-year-old man standing in the street with a rifle, but when the officers arrived, he ran into a house.


As the officers moved to surround the house, one officer accidentally shot the other officer, Lockhart said.


The injured officer, a six-year department veteran, was taken to the hospital for treatment. His injuries were not life-threatening.

[JKnapple]

To be honest I hope there's more to the story than this explanation. If there were a struggle or fight of some sort, then I could possibly understand an unintended discharge - though I still would think it rather negligent. If the situation was compliant, then I would not treat that Deputy with much mercy - I have little tolerance for a "professional" that cannot control his/her weapon.

I am with you on this. We need to also add "no" tolerance for poor marksmanship skills.

jk

[Mike Wood]

I absolutely agree with that statement Jerry. I used to date this girl in Norfolk that had an incident one time with an individual pointing a shotgun at the occupants of her house. When the female (hear I go again) officer arrived she found the guy on the rear deck with the SG in the back window- yelled at him to drop the weapon, he swings around at her and according to the witnesses she just panicked:eek: and shot ALL OVER THE PLACE never hitting the bad guy once. Another (male) officer popped the guy in the midsection and the incident was over.

The next day when I heard about it, I counted at least 6 or 7 bullet holes all over the wall (pray & spray) behind the guy as high as the roof line and as low as the deck level. This person was clearly not ready to carry and use a firearm for a living and she should have been either pulled for more training or completely for incompetance. Considering the possible dire consequences of this kind of poor marksmanship and nerve I would opt for the latter.

[JKnapple]

Wonder if the dept thought keeping/going to revos or at least single stacks would be a better option since each of those bullets might have hit someone other than the BG and the house? Maybe a Barnie thing and only issue one round per officer and they better not waste it or it comes out of their check! If this was not so serious and I bet common it would be funny.

It never amazes me why someone who makes a living going around as a LEO or military does not train and practice as much as possible. Even those who CCW should. The life they save could be theirs, a partners, or a loved one.

And stats be damned.

anyway.....,take care,

Jerry

[Mike Wood]

It never amazes me why someone who makes a living going around as a LEO or military does not train and practice as much as possible. Even those who CCW should. The life they save could be theirs, a partners, or a loved one.


Amen brother. Like DR is always saying. Bullets NEVER miss, they always hit something.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

RCMP officer accidentally discharges gun in her Langley home
Catherine Rolfsen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, July 11, 2008

METRO VANCOUVER -- An RCMP officer is under investigation after she accidentally discharged her gun at her Langley home Thursday morning.

"The bullet went through the wall and into the living space of the next-door neighbour where it lodged in the door frame of the bathroom," said Langley RCMP Const. Patrick Davies.

"The neighbours were home at the time and were very lucky that no one was injured."

Davies said the officer was off-duty and is not a member of the Langley detachment. Citing privacy, he would not reveal details of where she works or the location of the incident other than to say it was in the township of Langley.

He said the officer could potentially be charged with careless use of a firearm.

RCMP officers must follow the same strict storage regulations for guns as do other Canadians, Davies said.

"When [firearms] are stored in the house, they have to be stored separately from the ammunition and they also have to be stored in an approved container, specifically, like a gun safe or something like that," he said.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Police chief who shot himself in class resigns as firearms instructor

By Melinda Rogers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 07/08/2008 11:06:42 AM MDT

Posted: 11:03 AM- Riverdale Police Chief Dave Hansen, who accidentally shot himself in May, has resigned as a firearms instructor.
Hansen "voluntarily surrendered" his teaching credentials before the Bureau of Criminal Identification weapons review board took up the issue of his competency as an instructor this week, Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, said Tuesday.

Oda asked BCI for an investigation into Hansen's ability as a firearms instructor after the veteran police officer shot himself while teaching inside a classroom this spring.

Hansen accidentally shot himself in the ankle May 3 while handling a gun as he taught a concealed Firearms instructors

To become a firearms instructors, applicants must:

# Present current firearms certification from the National Rifle Association, the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy or an equivalent insurer certification.

# Submit a driver license and summary of qualifications.

# Attach a copy of proposed course curriculum, which will be reviewed by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification to make sure minimum training requirements will be met in the instructor's class.

# Pay a $5 application fee.

Source: Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification

weapon-permit course. The incident landed Hansen in the hospital and drew criticism from students enrolled in his course.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(Florida)

October 14, 2008
Police officer accidently shoots himself in the leg

SCRIPPS-TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS

A 26-year veteran of the Indian River Shores Public Safety Department is in fair condition after an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a report by Scripps-Treasure Coast newspapers.

Part-time officer Joe Richter shot himself in the lower leg during a training session at the Indian River County Public Shooting Range at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Richter retired last year as a sergeant with the department and returned this year on part-time status, said Indian River Shores Chief Bill Schauman.

Richter was in fair condition late Tuesday afternoon at Holmes Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

The range is closed to the public Tuesdays to allow local law enforcement to train there, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Jeff Luther said. Deputies were training with officers from Indian River Shores, Luther said.

Richter was holstering his weapon when the gun fired, Luther said.

“They were able to treat him right away,” Luther said.

The wounded officer was taken by helicopter to Holmes.

“I’m told he was in good spirits,” said Schauman while en route to Holmes Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office will investigate the incident, Luther said.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(California)

LAPD officer apparently hit by own bullet
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
(11-25) 11:30 PST Los Angeles, CA (AP) --

A police officer apparently accidentally shot himself in the leg as he tried to detain a group of pedestrians Tuesday, authorities said.

The officer and at least one colleague were trying to detain the group in the Venice area around 12:15 a.m. when several of the people tried to run away. At that point, a "negligent discharge occurred," police spokesman Officer Sam Park said.

The shooting remained under investigation but Park said it appeared the officer shot himself. The officer's name was not released.

"I believe he shot himself in the leg," Park said. "The officer himself accidentally discharged and shot himself."

Park did not know the extent of the wound but said the officer was conscious and being treated at a hospital.

It was not immediately clear why officers were trying to detain the pedestrians.

As police cordoned off the area to investigate the incident, a group of armed suspects unconnected to the people the police had been trying to detain broke through the perimeter and were pursued by officers.

Those suspects were captured, Park said.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/25/state/n012911S32.DTL

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[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(New York)

Off-Duty Officer Accidentally Shoots Wife
By: NY1 News
December 20, 2008

An off-duty NYPD officer has been suspended without pay after accidentally shooting his wife in their Westchester home.

Police say Humberto Arboleda is charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault.

According to police, Arboleda was "fooling around with his gun" Thursday night when it accidentally went off at his New Rochelle apartment. Sources say the bullet hit his wife in the groin.

She is reportedly recovering at a nearby hospital.

[Dave Olsen]

WOW!! :eek: How long have you been compiling this list?? :confused:

And why don't you list civilian casualties? :confused:

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

WOW!! :eek: How long have you been compiling this list?? :confused:

And why don't you list civilian casualties? :confused:

I just started THIS thread in May of 2008...less than nine months ago...:cool:

I don't list civilian A.D.'s because THEY (the civilians) are not allowed to carry guns all over the USA like the so called "trained professionals" (i.e. the Police) are allowed to do. That and there are a few other reasons I won't bore you with...

Further, I DO NOT concur with current police training qualifications AT ALL. :mad: They are a quite simply a joke IMNSHO. And I believe this thread proves my point. :rolleyes:

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

Indiana

Off-duty policeman accidentally fires gun at Four Winds Casino

A On Saturday night, police were called to the Four Winds Casino after reports of shots fired.

Officials say a handgun accidentally went off at the casino.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

In a statement released Sunday, a representative of the Four Winds says the man who accidentally fired the weapon was an active, off-duty police officer from the University of Chicago Police Department.

The gun owner had minor injuries from powder burns.

So far, no one is facing charges.

*****

Nebraska


State Trooper shoots self in knee

A trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol shot himself in the leg early Saturday in Wood River.

State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said the trooper was returning his rifle to a carrying position over his shoulder when it accidentally went off and the bullet struck him in the left knee.

The trooper, whom the State Patrol declined to name, was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island with injuries that were not life-threatening, Collins said.

The trooper, she said, was assisting the Hall County Sheriff's Office with a domestic dispute at the time.

There was no altercation occurring when his gun went off, Collins said.

"It was an accident," she said.

The incident took place shortly after midnight.

[SLIDE LOCK]

(Pennsylvania)

Officer's Gun Goes Off in Busy Grocery Store
February 9, 2009

WEST SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- An internal investigation took place Monday within the Scranton Police Department after an officer's gun went off inside a busy grocery store. It happened Sunday afternoon at Brunetti's Shur-Save Market in West Scranton.

The officer was slightly hurt in the incident. He's a lieutenant who has nearly 20 years on the force. Now many are questioning how the gun went off and why it was even out in the first place.

Brunetti's is a landmark in West Scranton. But what happened inside a back freezer Sunday afternoon has many surprised. Customer Rosey DeAntona said, I'm shocked. I come here at least three times a week. Its the best grocery store around. Safe. Pleasant. Pleasant people. It had to be an accident."

Owner Joe Brunetti says Lieutenant Leonard Namiotka was showing him his gun when it accidentally discharged. The officer suffered flesh wounds to his left hand. Joe's really friendly. He's friends with a lot of people. Its probably one of his cops, who's a friend, and maybe someone slipped and fell," said DeAntona.

Rose Bickauskas is the Lieutenants sister-in-law. She doesn't know why he would have had his gun out inside the back of a busy store. He's a very nice guy. I've always heard good things about him. Very careful, so I'm very surprised, she said.

Lieutenant Namiotka was back at the market Monday afternoon. He declined comment. Some But customers are now questioning his judgment.

The owner of the store says customers were never in danger. And customers say it won't change their shopping habits.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(Illinois)

Sheriff's deputy accidentally shoots self
February 27, 2009
BY KARA SPAK Staff Reporter

A Lake County sheriff's deputy accidentally shot herself Friday morning while unloading her weapon from her vehicle's trunk as she prepared to report to work at the county courthouse.

The 46-year-old deputy, who has served on the force for 22 years, shot herself in the right hand and abdomen around 8:05 a.m. in the Lake County Government building's parking deck, said Lake County Sgt. Christopher Thompson. She shot herself with the firearm issued to her by the sheriff's department, he said.

She was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where she was in serious to stable condition, Thompson said.

Waukegan police are investigating the incident, Thompson said. The department did not release the woman's name.

[Jerry Staton]

Wow...sure seems like they would get more training, go figure. :confused:

[Ernie Johnson]

(Texas)

Officer shoots himself in foot during arrest
Man arrested in connection with Mission home invasion

July 23, 2009 - 10:52 PM
Ana Ley
The Monitor

SAN JUAN — An officer shot himself in the foot as he attempted to arrest a home invasion suspect this evening, officials said.

A Mission police SWAT team raided the 34-year-old man's home at 2142 Doe Street about 6:44 p.m., said Robert Dominguez, assistant police chief for the city. Officers discovered a stash of police scanners and firearms inside the home.

Police believe the suspect planned a home invasion earlier this week that ended with shots fired at a patrol officer.

Officers have searched five homes searching for the man they arrested today. He is believed to be a high-ranking member of a gang in the San Juan area, Dominguez said.
The SWAT team waited for hours outside the home for a search warrant, police said. Once inside, an officer attempting to arrest the man shot himself in the left foot, police said. It remained unclear what led the officer to accidentally discharge his weapon.

He was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

[Randy Roberts]

WOW! :eek: I thought police were better traind than this WTFO?:confused: I still find it hard to believe, whats the problem? Don't they have to qualify regularly? This is unsat in my opinion. :( We need to help our men and women in uniform get trained better. :cool:

[Mike Wood]

And you guys wonder why I have a coniption about weapon mounted lights.

?? Don't see the connection here Joe?:confused:
MW

[SLIDE LOCK]

Gun discharged while Officer installed a rubber sleeve on the grip!! :eek:

Posted: February 19th, 2010 10:48 AM

Atlantic City Police Department

Officer Kevin B. Wilkins

An Atlantic City officer died of an accidental gunshot from his service weapon while on duty yesterday morning, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

Officer Kevin B. Wilkins was sitting in his cruiser at approximately 1:30 a.m. outside the Stanley Holmes Village apartment complex on Kentucky and Baltic avenues when the incident occurred.

The 31-year-old removed the clip of extra bullets in his semi-automatic pistol's handle to install a rubber sleeve on the grip, but accidentally discharged the remaining bullet in the chamber.

The bullet stuck him in the face, police told the newspaper.

Nearby officers summoned medical help, but Wilkins was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.

He is the first Atlantic City officer killed in the line of duty in five years.

"He was a city resident who knew and was able to interact favorably with the community, and it's a great loss," Chief John Mooney told the newspaper.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

******

Note to self: If there's one thing I learned in DR's Firearms Safety & Weapons Handling Course it was ALWAYS PRESS CHECK THE WEAPON!! :eek:

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

(North Carolina)
Sheriff hopeful shot in accident

By Ritchie E. STARNES
Chowan Herald
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

EDENTON — A Chowan County sheriff’s deputy who’s filed to run for sheriff was recovering at a Virginia hospital late Wednesday afternoon after accidentally shooting himself in the hand.

Tim Brabble, 45, was cleaning a .357-caliber Glock handgun when it accidentally discharged, wounding him in his left hand, Sheriff Dwayne Goodwin said.


Goodwin said Tim Brabble was off duty when the accident occurred about 10 a.m. The weapon was not Brabble’s department-issued service weapon, he said. Even so, the incident will be investigated, as all accidental shootings are, Goodwin said.

Goodwin said the handgun Brabble was cleaning has an unusual cleaning procedure. He said the trigger is engaged to open a glide that sits along the barrel. Apparently, Brabble failed to properly disarm the handgun and it discharged, Goodwin said.

“It’s a terrible design for a gun,” the sheriff said. :rolleyes:

Goodwin said he was out of town when the incident occurred. He said he has spoken with Brabble’s family.

It was not clear if the incident would have any effect on Brabble’s bid for sheriff.

Brabble, a law enforcement official since 1997, filed to run against Goodwin, his boss, on Friday. Brabble is seeking the Republican party’s nomination in the May primary.

If he wins the primary he will face off against Goodwin, a Democrat, in the fall election.

[SLIDE LOCK]

(UK)

Police Officer Tells How He Shot Colleague
2:50pm UK, Monday March 01, 2010
Mike McCarthy, North of England correspondent

A policeman who shot a colleague dead during a training session has told an inquest that he could not remember removing the safety catch on his gun.

PC Ian Terry was shot dead in Manchester in 2008

The specialist firearms officer - who has been identified only as 'Chris' - said he did not mean to pull the trigger and was in "complete disbelief" when the gun went off.

'Chris' was giving evidence relating to the death of PC Ian Terry.

He told the hearing he could not remember what was going through his mind when he pulled the trigger, firing a dummy CS gas cartridge into his colleague's chest.

PC Terry of Greater Manchester Police was playing the role of an armed criminal in a get-away car when he was killed.

'Chris' said he could not remember seeing a training video that day, nor recall being told how to handle a shotgun.

He also said he had no recollection of a "shoot scenario" having been arranged.

"Looking back I believe I did not mean to pull the trigger and it was an involuntary reaction," he said.

He added: "Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. When the weapon went off it was just complete shock...complete disbelief."

PC Terry is the first British police officer to be shot dead during a training exercise.

The inquest, at Manchester Coroner's Court, continues.