Shields said the officer was cleaning his service revolver when he accidentally discharged the weapon, suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach area.
September 8, 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville Metro Police officer was taken to the hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the stomach Wednesday afternoon in the LMPD Property Room, Chief Erika Shields said.
Shields said the officer was cleaning his service revolver when he accidentally discharged the weapon, suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach area.
The accidental shooting was reported about 12:35 p.m. Wednesday at the property room at 635 Industry Road, which is just off South Seventh Street, a MetroSafe dispatcher said.
The officer was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, and Shields said he is “going to be fine.”
An LMPD spokeswoman added Thursday that the officer remained in the hospital and was “doing very well.”
Shields said some of the officer’s family was with him at the hospital but that the department will not yet release his name due to still wanting to notify additional family members.
He has been with the department for about 15 years, according to Shields, who commended hospital staff for their “phenomenal” care.
The LMPD Property Room is “responsible for storing, accounting for and disposing of seized property, found property, recovered property and forwarded evidence,” according to the department’s website.
This story has been updated.
Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.
