A routine bathroom break turned painful at Detroit's Coleman A. Young Municipal Center yesterday, a city police officer accidentally shot himself, authorities said. The officer suffered a gunshot wound to his lower torso, was taken to a hospital, and was reported in stable condition. Detroit police say the shooting remains under investigation.
What happened
According to the Detroit Free Press, the officer discharged his firearm while inside a bathroom at the downtown municipal building and was taken to a local hospital afterward. The paper reported that the department's public information officer, Jalon Nelson, confirmed the basic details for reporters. Officials have not released the officer's name or said whether he was on duty at the time.
Police response and investigation
FOX 2 Detroit reported that the department described the shooting as an accidental discharge inside a bathroom at the county building and said investigators are reviewing the circumstances. The station noted that police provided the information directly and that no other injuries have been reported. City or department officials have not yet said how the weapon was being handled at the time or whether the officer could face any administrative action.
Where it happened
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, a downtown Detroit fixture that houses courts along with several city offices, was the backdrop for the incident. The City of Detroit lists the building's address as 2 Woodward Ave.
What to watch
Detroit police have said only that the case is under investigation and have not provided further details. The department has not indicated whether the officer has been placed on administrative duty or whether any outside review may be requested. We'll update this story as officials release more information.
