The Pasadena Police Department released video showing an officer shot in the shoulder during unsafe horseplay with a loaded firearm [1].
The footage highlights a severe breach of safety protocols within a law enforcement agency, illustrating the danger of ignoring firearm policies even in non-combat environments.
The incident occurred on Sept. 7, 2025 [2], inside the Pasadena Police Department parking garage [3]. A department spokesperson said officers were jokingly pointing their weapons at one another when one officer accidentally fired and struck a colleague [4].
The department described the event as "unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay involving a loaded firearm" [5]. The video, which was released to the public on June 10, 2026, captures the moments leading up to the discharge.
Police Chief Gene Harris addressed the aftermath of the shooting. He said the wounded officer has recovered from his injuries [6].
The department's internal policies strictly prohibit the type of conduct seen in the garage. The use of loaded weapons for joking or recreational purposes is a violation of standard operating procedures designed to prevent accidental discharges, a failure that resulted in a physical injury in this instance.
While the wounded officer has since recovered [6], the release of the footage serves as a public record of the lapse in professional conduct. The department has not released further details regarding disciplinary actions taken against the officers involved in the September 2025 event.
“Unsafe and out‑of‑policy horseplay involving a loaded firearm.”
The release of this footage underscores the tension between internal police culture and public accountability. By publishing the video of a clear policy violation, the Pasadena Police Department is attempting to demonstrate transparency regarding officer misconduct, even when the victim is a fellow member of the force.
