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Today in the United States, police don’t have the best reputation. Some people think that they shoot first and ask questions later. However, there are some cases where the officers have made legitimate mistakes and accidentally shot people. Check out below for the top 10 accidental police shootings.
#10: Police officer accidentally shoots an unarmed driver while trying to break open the car window using his gun
This incident started as a response by a Montgomery County Maryland police officer to a 911 call of a car ramming into another car. Todd Archer, the responding officer, approached the ramming vehicle with his gun drawn. He attempted to break open the window in order to get to the driver. However, he used the butt of his gun to try and break the glass. In the process, Archer accidentally shot the unarmed driver in the ramming vehicle. Fortunately, the driver was not gravely injured.
Chuck Drago, an expert police use of force techniques and police shootings, said that using a gun to break open a window is not advised. He specified by saying, “A gun isn’t a tool for hitting or banging or ramming. It’s designed for one thing, to shoot a bullet.” He continued his concern by saying, “You tend to clench your fist, which includes your trigger finger” when using a gun to hit something.[1]The Washington Post – Police: Officer using his gun to smash car window accidentally shot unarmed driver inside
#9: A police officer accidentally shot an unarmed woman
In this event, Seattle police responded to a scene with a possible explosive device. Needless to say, they took the situation very seriously. However, when they arrived what was actually happening was very different. Instead, two women were fighting each other at the scene. The police jumped in to intervene. One of the women decided to try and run away from the police. A police officer gave chase. When he caught up, he drew his gun. However, while drawing his gun, he accidentally shot her in the leg.[2]KOMONEWS – Police: Seattle officer accidentally shot unarmed woman
#8: New York City Police officer accidentally shoots bystander fleeing robbery
Unfortunately, some accidental police shootings don’t end well for the victim. In this case, a NYPD officers were responding to a convenience store robbery by three armed gunmen. One police officer stayed right outside of the store with his gun at the ready. Renaldo Cuevas, one of the store’s employees, ran out of the store. However, in the process he accidentally ran into the police officer causing the two to fall to the ground. As they fell, the police officer’s gun went off.[3]Fox News – NY police accidentally shoot shop worker to death The investigation showed that the police officer accidentally shot his gun when he was knocked over. Tragically, Cuevas found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and died. The NYPD investigation found the veteran officer innocent. They said that the officer followed procedure to the letter.
#7: Lodi, California police accidental shooting
Not all accidental police shootings are by police against civilians. In fact, the accidental shooting in Lodi, California is the perfect example of this. The Lodi Police Department’s SWAT team was at the local reading event, the Little Buckaroos Reading Round-up. They were there to talk about the SWAT team to the young children.
While one SWAT officer was showing a young child how to put on some SWAT gear, another 6 year old child walked up to him unnoticed. The child then pulled the trigger of his gun, accidentally shooting the officer in the leg. The child was easily able to pull the trigger because SWAT team hand guns don’t have a safety on them. They didn’t find the kid at the scene. Apparently, a women took him away. Police said that due to the child’s age, he wouldn’t get in trouble. Fortunately, the police officer’s wounds were superficial.
#6: NYPD officer accidentally shoots himself
Not all police shootings involve police on civilian. In fact, in New York City, a police officer accidentally shot himself. He was responding to a domestic dispute case. When he holstered his gun, he accidentally shot himself in the leg.[4]Fox News – NYC police officer in stable condition after accidentally shooting himself in the leg
#5: Police investigating home robbery accidentally kill the home owner
Police in Texas were responding to a call of a home burglary. When the arrived they immediately entered the house to check. However, they didn’t realize that they had entered the wrong house. In fact, they had entered the house of a neighbor. When the 72 year old owner came out to check out what was happening, the police officers accidentally shot and killed the man.[5]Star-Telegram – Fort Worth officer not indicted in homeowner’s death The correct house was actually across the street.
#4: California Police officers accidentally shoot 2 women due to mistaken identity
In 2013, a former police officer, Christopher Jordan Dorner shot and killed a couple. When police responded, he shot at them as well. Using his police knowledge, Dorner was able evade the police for an extended period of time. Due to his dangerous nature, multiple police agencies throughout Southern California started a manhunt to catch him. During this period, police throughout the state were on high alert and extremely nervous. They knew that Dorner had police knowledge and had no trouble with shooting and killing police officers.
Early one morning, police officers spotted what they thought looked like Dorner’s car. They proceeded to shoot at the vehicle and “riddled [it] with bullet holes” .[6]The Washington Times – Calif. police accidentally shoot 2 in manhunt for suspected cop killer However, when the dust settled, they found out that it was not Dorner at all. In fact, it was just two women who were delivering the morning newspaper. They shot one of the ladies in the hand and the other in the back. Fortunately, both survived.
#3: Police attempting to save Hofstra University Student accidentally kill her
Dalton Smith was a criminal with an extensive record. When he found an open door to a home near Hofstra University, he took the opportunity to steal from it. However, unfortunately, the home’s resident, Andrea Rebello, a college junior at Hofstra, was also there at the time. Smith did not find enough valuables in the house and forced Rebello to give him her credit cards too.
When police arrived at the house, Smith hid behind Andrea Rebello. He aslo put a gun to her head saying that he would kill her. However, Smith then pointed his gun at the police officers. In response, shot at Smith 7 times. However, in the process they also accidentally shot Andrea Rebello in the head which killed her immediately.[7]NJ – Hofstra student accidentally shot, killed by police during rescue attempt
#2: Police chief shoots himself
Sometimes, police shootings are due to police ineptitude with their own guns. Bangor, Maine Police Chief Mark Hathaway was cleaning his duty weapon in the police station when he accidentally shot himself in the left hand. An internal investigation said, “While there were several mitigating factors that were involved including heat and the fact that these new weapons require that the trigger be depressed in order to be disassembled, the final analysis is that [the] injury was the result of your failure to clear the chamber prior to disassembly”. The courts sentenced the police chief to additional required gun training which would include both hands on and classes. In addition, he would have to get written confirmation that he completed the courses.
#1: Police officer accidentally shoots another police officer
Some police shootings are due to lack of communication between police. In Baltimore, police officers from multiple agencies were in the process of performing a raid on a drug house. In the process, one of the police officer shot at someone. However, in the process they accidentally hit another police office in the arm.[8]Baltimore Sun – City officer opened fire after accidental shooting by colleague The hit police officer returned fire by shooting 4 bullets as they thought they were under attack by an unknown assailant. Fortunately, the responding officer didn’t hit anyone.
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