Dave P
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Officer shoots self
Detective expected to be OK, but fails gun test
By Enrique Heredero
FLORIDA TODAY
PALM BAY--An Indiatlantic police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to qualify to carry his off-duty weapon Friday afternoon.
Detective Mike Connor was putting the gun in its holster when the gun went off, said Stan Hanson, spokesman for the Palm Bay Police Department.
"Sometimes, it happens," Hanson said.
Connor, a six-year veteran of the department, was at the Palm Bay Training Facility, where officers from across the county practice. He was trying to qualify so he could carry his off-duty .45-caliber Colt gun. Under state law, police officers must test to be granted the privilege.
But somehow, when replacing his weapon it went off.
"We speculate that he may have still had his finger on the trigger," said Sgt. Scott Elliott of the Indialantic Police Department.
The bullet went in through the outer thigh and lodged itself just below Connor's kneecap.
Paramedics went to the gun range, at 620 Hurley Road S.W., and took Connor to Holmes Regional Medical Center. He underwent surgery and is expected to be released Saturday.
"Apparently the surgery was successful and didn't damage anything seriously. The prognosis is very good, and we're very happy about that," Elliott said.
Palm Bay police will investigate why the gun went off, Hanson said, but no charges would be brought against Connor.
Elliott said Indialantic police also will investigate the incident. Although Connor wasn't able to finish the qualification, he will be able to try it again once he heals, Elliott said.
*************
Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
Well, reading it again, the reporter could have the gun type totally wrong.
Detective expected to be OK, but fails gun test
By Enrique Heredero
FLORIDA TODAY
PALM BAY--An Indiatlantic police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to qualify to carry his off-duty weapon Friday afternoon.
Detective Mike Connor was putting the gun in its holster when the gun went off, said Stan Hanson, spokesman for the Palm Bay Police Department.
"Sometimes, it happens," Hanson said.
Connor, a six-year veteran of the department, was at the Palm Bay Training Facility, where officers from across the county practice. He was trying to qualify so he could carry his off-duty .45-caliber Colt gun. Under state law, police officers must test to be granted the privilege.
But somehow, when replacing his weapon it went off.
"We speculate that he may have still had his finger on the trigger," said Sgt. Scott Elliott of the Indialantic Police Department.
The bullet went in through the outer thigh and lodged itself just below Connor's kneecap.
Paramedics went to the gun range, at 620 Hurley Road S.W., and took Connor to Holmes Regional Medical Center. He underwent surgery and is expected to be released Saturday.
"Apparently the surgery was successful and didn't damage anything seriously. The prognosis is very good, and we're very happy about that," Elliott said.
Palm Bay police will investigate why the gun went off, Hanson said, but no charges would be brought against Connor.
Elliott said Indialantic police also will investigate the incident. Although Connor wasn't able to finish the qualification, he will be able to try it again once he heals, Elliott said.
*************
Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
Well, reading it again, the reporter could have the gun type totally wrong.
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