Pasadena Officer Accidentally Shoots Colleague During Horseplay

The Pasadena Police Department has released dashcam footage of a disturbing incident in which one officer accidentally shot another during what officials characterized as horseplay with loaded firearms. The shooting occurred on September 7, 2025, in the department's parking structure.

Dashcam video made public on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, shows a police vehicle approaching two officers standing in front of another cruiser. The footage captures one officer quickly drawing his weapon and pointing it at the officer in the driver's seat of the approaching vehicle before returning the gun to his holster.

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the officer in the driver's seat, who remains out of frame in the video, responded by drawing his own weapon. The gun discharged accidentally, sending a bullet through the vehicle's windshield and striking the first officer in the arm.

The injured officer has since made a full recovery, according to a department news release. However, the incident has raised serious questions about officer conduct and firearm safety protocols within the department.

Police Chief Gene Harris addressed the incident in a video statement, describing the shooting as "unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay involving loaded firearms," according to TMZ.com. The characterization underscores the gravity of the safety violations involved when officers engage in reckless behavior with service weapons.

The Pasadena Police Department is conducting an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The involvement of the district attorney's office suggests authorities are examining whether criminal charges may be warranted in addition to internal disciplinary measures.

Chief Harris confirmed that the department has imposed disciplinary measures in response to the shooting but declined to provide specifics regarding which officers face punishment or the nature of the sanctions. The lack of transparency has left questions about accountability unanswered as the investigation continues.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about officer safety practices and the potential consequences of treating firearms casually, even among trained law enforcement personnel. The decision to release the dashcam footage nearly nine months after the incident occurred may reflect an effort toward transparency as the department faces scrutiny over the handling of the case.