An early trip to Linda Mar Beach turned tense after police say a 28-year-old Pacifica man shot himself inside a parked car when a gun accidentally went off in Lot A of the parking area. The wound was self-inflicted and described as non-life-threatening, and the man was taken to a local hospital. Officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol from the vehicle and opened an investigation into what happened in the popular surfside lot.
What Pacifica Police Say
In a post on the Pacifica Police Department Facebook page, officers said they responded to Lot A at Linda Mar Beach and found the 28-year-old man inside a parked vehicle with a self-inflicted, non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Police say they seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol from the car and determined the shooting was accidental. Investigators are seeking charges for carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle and failing to register an out-of-state firearm in California. Anyone with information is asked to call 650-738-7314 and reference case number 26-1746.
Where This Happened And Why It Matters
Lot A sits at Linda Mar Beach, one of Pacifica's busiest surf spots and a frequent flashpoint in local debates over safety and public access. The City of Pacifica temporarily shut the Linda Mar lots to vehicles overnight in November 2025 to deal with vandalism and sanitation problems, according to a City of Pacifica press release. Residents pushed the council for tougher action in July 2026, as reported by SFGATE, and volunteer water testing that raised quality concerns at the beach was covered by NBC Bay Area.
Legal Context
California generally bans carrying a loaded gun in public or in a vehicle under Penal Code section 25850 and related statutes, which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the details. State law factors in issues such as prior convictions and whether a gun is stolen, and drivers or vehicle owners who knowingly allow firearms violations can face penalties of their own under Penal Code section 26100. Because officers said the handgun was from out of state, registration rules could come into play. New residents who bring firearms into California typically have 60 days to report them to the Department of Justice, according to California Legislative Information and guidance from the California Department of Justice.
Investigation And How To Help
Pacifica police say the investigation remains active. Detectives seized the pistol as evidence, are conducting interviews, and are reviewing the circumstances while working with prosecutors to determine what charges to file. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything connected to the shooting is asked to contact the department at 650-738-7314 and mention case number 26-1746, as noted in the department's Facebook post.
