Pasadena cop accidentally shot in shoulder by fellow officer in ‘horseplay’ incident, mayor says: ‘will not be tolerated’

A Pasadena, California, police officer suffered an accidental gunshot wound during a September 2025 incident involving what officials later described as “unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay” with loaded firearms, according to recently released video. The Pasadena Police Department released critical incident footage on June 10, 2026, showing the moments leading up to the shooting inside the department’s parking garage on Ramona Street.

Officials said the video release followed state transparency requirements for officer-involved shootings after investigative delays. The footage shows two officers standing near a patrol vehicle as another officer approaches in a police car. One officer briefly draws his handgun and points it toward the vehicle before re-holstering it.

Seconds later, investigators say the officer inside the patrol car also draws his weapon. The firearm accidentally discharges, sending a bullet through the windshield and striking the standing officer in the shoulder.

The injured officer collapsed to the ground before colleagues rushed to provide aid, according to the video. Officials confirmed the officer has since recovered from his injuries, according to FoX11 Los Angeles.

Officials respond: “Unsafe” and “extremely disturbing behavior”

Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris described the conduct as unsafe and outside department policy. He said the behavior involved loaded firearms and did not meet professional standards expected of law enforcement personnel.

Harris said, “Horseplay and/or failure to adhere to safety rules and standards of professional conduct will not be tolerated. This regretful conduct is not consistent with the expectations and service commitments of this department,” according to local news outlet KABC.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo also condemned the incident, calling it “extremely disturbing behavior.” Gordo stated that such conduct “will not be tolerated,” according to remarks made during media interviews following the video release.

“To the people of Pasadena, I say I’m sorry that this occurred. I’m sorry that these officers behaved this way, but understand that it’s not acceptable, and the chief has assured me that it’s not going to happen again,” Mayor Gordo added.

Officials also confirmed that the Pasadena police department enforced disciplinary action following the completion of the internal administrative review. The department has withheld the exact nature of the discipline and the identities of the officers involved. The officer who fired the weapon no longer works for the department, officials said. Officials emphasized that the broader criminal and administrative reviews are still active.

The footage was made public under California law, which requires agencies to release video recordings of critical incidents within 45 days. However, Police Chief Harris exercised statutory authority to temporarily delay the disclosure to protect the integrity of the active inquiry while the injured officer underwent extensive medical treatment, according to the City of Pasadena.