A police officer in Bedford, New Hampshire, was injured overnight after being shot by their own gun during a struggle with a suspect.
Bedford Police Chief Daniel Doudi said at a press conference that two patrol officers responded around 12:53 a.m. Saturday to the area of South River Road near the Country Inn and Suites for a report of a suspicious vehicle in a wooded area.
Upon arrival, the two officers — including a K9 officer — began investigating.
The suspect was identified as Jared Masseur, 40, of Nashua. During the investigation, he fled on foot. The officers attempted to take him into custody after numerous attempts to find out his identity, but he resisted and began to struggle with the officers.
During the struggle, Doudi said a gun discharged as Masseur reached for one of the officers’ holsters to try to take his service weapon. The officer’s gun fired, striking the officer in the upper thigh.
The wounded officer gained control of the weapon and called for his K9, Odin, who assisted the two officers in apprehending Masseur, Doudi said.
Masseur sustained minor injuries from the scuffle and the K9 and was treated by emergency medical service and taken to a local hospital.
The Bedford officer who was shot was taken to a Manchester hospital for treatment and is expected to be releases sometime this weekend.
Doudi said Masseur remains in police custody pending a video bail hearing later on Saturday.
“The worst nightmare is a chief or any of our officers getting that phone call in the middle of the night that an officer was hurt or involved in a shooting,” Doudi said. “It’s not an easy thing for us. That’s the worst calls. Thank God, like I said, the officer it could’ve been a worse outcome. Prayers and thoughts are for the officer, obviously.”
Masseur is facing four charges, including resisting arrest, felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, attempting to take a weapon from a law enforcement officer and second degree assault. Doudi said additional charges could also be forthcoming.
“This guy was a dangerous criminal,” Doudi said. “The reason why he ran and fled from our officers, is he had some felony warrants for drug activity, weapons.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.