(LibertySociety.com) – A U.S. Secret Service officer accidentally shot himself while on duty in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. The incident happened around 8 p.m. in the northwest part of the city, near 32nd and Fessenden streets.
According to the Secret Service, the officer was handling his service weapon when it went off by mistake. This type of incident is referred to as a “negligent discharge,” meaning the weapon was fired unintentionally. Thankfully, the officer’s injuries were not life-threatening. He was quickly taken to a nearby hospital to be treated and evaluated.
The Secret Service assured the public that no one else was hurt during the incident. Lt. Paul Mayhair, a public information officer with the Secret Service’s Uniformed Division, confirmed that no other people were involved or injured.
As is standard procedure in such situations, the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility will be conducting a full review of the incident. They will investigate the details to determine exactly how the accidental shooting occurred and to ensure that proper protocols were followed.
It’s important to note that while the Secret Service is known for protecting the president and other high-profile individuals, it also has a uniformed division responsible for security around federal buildings and certain events. Officers in this division are highly trained, but accidents, though rare, can still happen.
No further details about the officer involved have been released, and the Secret Service has not yet commented on whether the officer will face any disciplinary action.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face, even during routine tasks. While this situation ended without any major harm, it will likely prompt a closer look at safety procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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