Crime

Police officer recovering after accidentally shooting himself at Sacramento hospital

An Oakdale police officer underwent surgery after accidentally shooting himself while off duty at a Sacramento hospital.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. Tuesday while the officer was visiting a family member at a Sutter hospital.

“At one point, when handling his firearm, the firearm accidentally discharged, causing injury,” according to a press release from the Oakdale Police Department.

Oakdale Police Chief Jerry Ramar said Thursday that the incident occurred inside the room of the family member the officer was visiting.

He said it is his understanding that the shot wasn’t even heard by others, so the hospital never went on lockdown and there was never a security concern.

Ramar said the officer was handling the weapon because he was about to take a walk, but he did not know if the officer was holstering or unholstering the weapon.

Ramar would not release the officer’s name or say where he was shot, saying it is a personnel matter.

The officer underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. No one else was injured.

The incident was investigated by the Sacramento Police Department and was deemed an accident.

The Oakdale Police Department also is conducting an internal investigation.

Erin Tracy
The Modesto Bee
Erin Tracy covers criminal justice and breaking news. She began working at the Modesto Bee in 2010 and previously worked at papers in Woodland and Eureka. She is a graduate of Humboldt State University.
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