A Baltimore County Police officer is recovering from minor injuries after he accidentally shot himself during routine annual qualification drills Tuesday.
Police said the officer was performing timed drills outdoors at the department’s shooting range in Towson at about 9 a.m. when he pulled his service weapon from the holster, preparing to shoot at a target, and prematurely pulled the trigger.
The gun was still pointed downward at the time, and the round grazed the officer before hitting the ground, according to police.
The officer was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and is currently in good condition.
The range shut down immediately after the shooting, but has since reopened.
“These rigorous drills test officers' ability to fire with accuracy within set time constraints and in various positions and circumstances,” Baltimore County Police said in a statement.
During training, the department uses rounds made of a composite material that disintegrates when it hits hard material. The officer’s round disintegrated when it hit the ground, police said.
Officers must qualify for firearms proficiency each year. The range is located in the 2000 block of Dulaney Valley Road.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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