Today’s episode is not going to be a celebration of justice being meted out to thuggish criminals via the firearms of police officers. No, this one is sadly, entirely different and a tragic reminder of why we practice gun safety. While I would rather praise our law enforcement officers rather than criticize them, I have to be critical here because this was an easily preventable incident.
Indiana police release body cam footage of officer accidentally shooting partner
A police department in Indiana released shocking footage of an officer accidentally shooting his partner in the back while searching for a fugitive earlier this week.
Lane Butler, who was “just days” from celebrating her third anniversary with the Lafayette Police Department, is still in the hospital in serious but stable condition after the Jan. 8 shooting.
Three officers, including Butler and her partner, Aaron Wright, entered a home looking for a suspect wanted on an outstanding warrant, police said. Police did not find the suspect, but inside the home was a large dog.
The video shows Butler exiting the home with Wright following her. The dog, which police said escaped its cage, can be heard barking loudly before Wright — with his gun drawn — suddenly shoots Butler in the left shoulder.
Although it appears that Wright just flat out attempted to execute Butler in the video, that’s not what happened.
Though it is not visible in the video, police said Wright was attacked by the dog from behind, and accidentally fired his gun.
Butler immediately collapsed to the ground outside the home and the other officers can be heard in the video shouting, “What happened? What happened?”
“Our conclusion in this incident was this was not a result of an act of negligence, carelessness or otherwise reckless behavior,” Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly said at a press conference Friday. “It was accidental.”
Yes, it was accidental, but it was also extremely careless and reckless. At about 3:03 in the video Officer Wright announces, “We’re clear.” So why is his weapon not in it’s holster at 3:09 when the dog attacks him? And barring that, why is his finger still on the trigger at that point? That’s one of the most basic rules of gun safety. Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until you’re ready to fire. We could go even further here and ask why he was pointing his gun at Officer Butler, but I’ll let that go as perhaps his hand was knocked into that position by the dog, but that still doesn’t doesn’t negate the fact that his finger was on the trigger when it should not have been. That’s negligent, careless, and reckless. Go to NRA Gun Safety Rules and the second rule and image they display there is this one:
ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot
When holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
That’s basic stuff Officer Wright, come on!
Wright is not expected to face disciplinary action.
“Officer Butler is an amazing public servant and is a dedicated and valued member of our agency,” the department said in a press release. “She is demonstrating tremendous courage and strength and she fights to recover from her injury.”
Butler is recovering at Franciscan Health Lafayette East: “We again just want to extend our prayers to her and her family and all of her loved ones and let them know that they will have our continued support,” Flannelly said. “We’re thankful that she is doing well and improving. That’s the most important thing.”
The body cam video from Wright shows he and other officers immediately assisting Butler. She was wearing a bulletproof vest, however, she was struck above it, police said.
Wright sprints two blocks to flag down another police car responding to the scene, but after first putting Butler in the rear seat, an ambulance arrives and they load her into the back.
Butler appears conscious throughout, but she can barely stand and eventually needs to be carried.
If Wright is not going to be disciplined for this he should be required to attend a rigorous firearms retraining course. I would not want this guy as a partner or to even go hunting with him. He’s not safe. Would you want this guy standing behind you with a loaded gun in a stressful situation? I’d rather not take my chances.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Butler and I hope she recovers quickly.
