Off Duty Officer Shot by Fellow Officer in Accidental Discharge

Los Angeles: One off duty Los Angeles Police Officer was seriously injured by an accidental discharge of a firearm.

On Sunday, August 24, 2008 at about 8:13 p.m., three off duty Los Angeles Police Officers were in a guest room at the Comfort Inn Hotel on 6th Street in the City of San Diego. This gathering of off duty officers was social in nature and was unrelated to any official function of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Based on preliminary information, off duty Officer Christopher Campagna, 5 years with the Department, was handling a .38 caliber revolver which was believed to be unloaded when an accidental discharge of one round occurred. A second off duty officer was passing in front of the weapon when it went off and was struck by one bullet in the abdomen. Emergency medical services and the San Diego Police Department were immediately summoned.

The injured officer was transported to the University of San Diego Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. After successful surgery, the injured officer was listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The third off duty officer in the room was not injured.

The San Diego Police Department is handling the investigation as a Non-Criminal Accidental Discharge of a Firearm. The Los Angeles Police Department, Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and will be conducting the administrative investigation. The results of an administrative investigation of this type are presented to a Use of Force Review Board. The Use of Force Review Board then makes recommendations to the Chief of Police who in turn presents his findings to the Board of Police Commissioners.