Video shows what led up to ‘horseplay’ shooting between Pasadena police officers

New video footage from the Pasadena Police Department shows the moments leading up to a shooting between officers in September that resulted from “unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay.”

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The “suspected accidental” shooting happened on Sept. 7 inside the department’s parking garage located at 240 Ramona St. in Pasadena, Gene Harris, the police chief, said in a video statement.

Harris said the “horseplay incident” started at 6:18 p.m. when patrol officers were loading their vehicle and preparing for their shift.

Mobile video footage released by the department shows a police car approach two officers who are standing outside another police car. One of the officers outside the car appears to point his gun at the officer in the car, which Harris described as “inappropriately and in a quick draw fashion.”

The officer in the car subsequently shot their gun while still in the driver’s seat, Harris said, damaging the front windshield and hitting one of the officers in his left shoulder. In the video, several other officers rush over to the injured officer and assist him as he eventually falls to the ground. 

The officer who was shot had serious injuries and has recovered since the shooting, Harris said. 

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Harris called the shooting “regretful conduct.” He said disciplinary measures were taken, but he did not provide further detail. Although California law generally requires police shooting footage to be released within 45 days, the chief used his legal authority to delay its release, he said. 

“This delay was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and allow investigators to complete essential investigative steps,” Harris said.

The shooting is still being investigated by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the police department’s robbery and homicide unit and its critical performance unit.