Investigation underway after police officer's gun accidentally discharges during incident

PITTSBURGH — An investigation is underway after a police officer’s gun discharged while he was searching for two burglary suspects.

A man, who did not want to be identified, said he confronted two men when he saw them breaking into a car Sunday morning in Overbrook.

“I asked them what they were doing, and they stood there and denied (that) they weren't doing it,” the man said.

He called Pittsburgh police, who tracked down Walter Hodge and Marcus Allen, both of the Hill District. Both men are charged with theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Police said they suspect Hodge and Allen are responsible for vehicle break-ins across the city.

Target 11 learned that sometime during that incident, an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer, who helped with the search for Hodge and Allen, accidentally fired his weapon.

A public safety spokesperson declined to release details about the incident, but said there were no injuries.

Beth Pittinger, executive director of the citizen police review board, said the incident is rare but serious.

“Of course it's serious, because someone could have been seriously injured. Fortunately, no one was,” Pittinger said.

Target 11 obtained the bureau policy for unintentional shots fired, which indicated a shift supervisor will investigate to determine if the accidental firing was justified and consistent with the policy.

“You have to wonder -- why was the gun out and in a situation where it could have been fired even accidentally? Safe gun handling is critical.  We expect that of all our officers,” Pittinger said.

Sources close to the investigation told Target 11’s Rick Earle that the officer involved had been on the force for several years and that he offered a very reasonable explanation for the accidental discharge.

Cox Media Group