Veteran Dallas officer wounds rookie in accidental shooting

[HK4U]

Where was the gun pointed and where was his finger? Sounds like a review of the four rules of gun safety is in order here.

Veteran Dallas officer wounds rookie in accidental shooting | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas News on Yahoo! | The Dallas Morning News

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Veteran Dallas officer wounds rookie in accidental shooting

01:14 PM CDT on Friday, July 16, 2010

By TANYA EISERER / The Dallas Morning News
teiserer@dallasnews.com

A rookie Dallas police officer was accidentally shot this morning by a veteran officer at a home in West Dallas, police said.
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The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. in an abandoned home in the 3700 block of Crane Street, where the two men were searching for a robbery suspect who was thought to be holed up there. There was no power at the house.

"It was very dark and hard to see," said Lt. Andy Harvey, a police spokesman. "That may have contributed" to what happened.

At some point, the more experienced officer was startled and accidentally fired his weapon, striking the younger officer in his bullet-resistant vest, authorities said. The bullet didn't penetrate the vest.

The rookie officer, Ricardo Solis, was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in good condition. Police Chief David Brown visited the officer, who was later discharged.

"We are fortunate because the officer is going to be OK," said Harvey, who noted that the veteran officer, who wasn't identified, was shaken up nonetheless.

No one was found in the house.

[ConditionOne]

Where was the gun pointed and where was his finger? Sounds like a review of the four rules of gun safety is in order here.

Indeed. Thankfully he was wearing a vest, and is going to be ok. I can't even imagine what goes through your head in a situation like that... gotta be scary.

[Marissa]

Even my kids know better than to have their finger on the trigger unless they are ready to shoot. I am glad the rookie is ok and I am really glad he was wearing his vest. I hope the veteran officer reviews his safety rules.

[Rabbitcreekok]

I will just about guarantee the veteran officer was carrying a Glock and had his finger on the trigger.

[DougG]

Most Dallas officers carry Glocks. This was a bad habbit from a seasoned officer that I am sure will be broken with some additional training. Glad the rookie was OK.

[CathyInBlue]

What I'm thankful for, is that the old codg-- uh, veteran at least knew well enough to aim center of mass, even if he didn't know not to aim at a uniform. That CoM aim is what insured his rookie partner took the shot to the vest and not to the throat or head or gut.

[Scarecrow]

that's unfortunate. I was thinking "glock" also.. but regardless, his finger was not where it was supposed to be. bad training.

[Rabbitcreekok]

When I was a DPD officer and went through the Academy in 1975, we were not trained to place our trigger finger alongside the frame. I still have to be constantly aware of the placement of my finger, it seems to want to be on the trigger. Since the officer who shot the rookie was a "veteran" he may not have been through the week at the range at his academy training under the newer methods.

I am glad I never shot any of my rookies while I was a FTO. Back then, we were just getting vests and not all officers chose to wear them.

[Mobuck]

Sounds like the cop was "startled" and fired at movement before properly ID'ing his target!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theicemanmpls]

Shooting at "movement" kills several hunters each year". Horribly wounds thousands of animals.

Same goes for cops, and DGU, "make sure of your bullet placement before pulling the start button"