Crime & Safety
Police Officer Accidentally Shoots Himself in Pit Bull Confrontation
Incident occurred Monday afternoon on Harrison Street in Bloomfield.
A police officer accidentally shot himself Monday when he was confronted by a Pit bull on Harrison Street in Bloomfield, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.
According to the prosecutor's office, two Clifton Police detectives were investigating an incident that occurred in Clifton and led them to the 100 block of Harrison Street in Bloomfield at about 3:40 p.m. Monday.
As the detectives knocked on the door of the house, a pit bull ran out and charged at the officers, the prosecutor's office said.
One of the officers, a 16-year veteran of the Clifton Police Department, fired one shot from his service weapon, striking his hand and the dog, the prosecutor's office said.
The detective was transported to the hospital and was listed Tuesday in stable condition.
The second detective was no injured and did not fire his weapon. The dog was injured and was rendered aid by animal control.
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The investigation is being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Professional Standards Bureau and the Clifton Police Internal Affairs.
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