Man injured after accidental discharge of police officer’s weapon
The approximate location of the incident involving the accidental discharge of a police officer's weapon Friday morning outside a 7-11 store at 403 Main Street in Lacey. (Image: Google Maps)
Authorities are investigating the accidental discharge of a police officer’s weapon that injured a man Friday morning in Lacey Township, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a release.
An initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit found that Lacey resident Jesse Urban, 23, a police officer with the Pine Beach Police Department, dialed 911 to report that a friend was injured as a result of an accidental discharge of the officer’s firearm in the parking area of a 7-11 store at 403 Main Street shortly before 6 a.m., said Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Al Della Fave in a release.
Responding emergency personnel found the 23-year-old Forked River man with a gunshot wound to the leg, Della Fave said, adding that the victim was “immediately transported” to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
“The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and is reportedly undergoing surgery at Jersey Shore,” Della Fave said. “Presently, evidence of alcohol involvement and the alleged operation of a motor vehicle have brought a charge of driving under the influence against Urban.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm are presently under investigation, according to Della Fave.
Urban has been suspended without pay by Pine Beach Police Chief Reese Fisher pending the results of the investigation, Della Fave said.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the Pine Beach and Lacey police departments.
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