Israeli Police Officer Indicted for Negligence After Shooting Fellow Officer in Armory

The Police Investigations Department (Mahash) has filed charges against a police officer responsible for the armory in the Jerusalem district, accusing him of recklessness and negligence with a firearm. The indictment, submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court by attorney Lidor Malko, relates to an incident nearly two years ago when the officer discharged a bullet that injured a female colleague.

According to the indictment, the officer was unloading firearms from two police officers who had come to the district armory to return their personal guns. The accused began unloading one pistol while seated and not at the designated unloading station. He then started unloading a second pistol improperly by attempting to unload it without first removing the magazine. He paused the process and placed the loaded weapon on the table to assist another officer.

When he resumed unloading, he removed the magazine but pulled the trigger without verifying that the chamber was empty. This caused a bullet to fire, striking the floor and sending fragments that wounded the female officer in her calf, requiring surgery. The serious incident was investigated by the Jerusalem team within the Police Investigations Department.