The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) -- A police officer, who authorities said apparently shot himself after arguing with his ex-girlfriend, has been fired by the Columbus City Council.
The council, meeting in a closed session Thursday, voted to dismiss Patrolman Ernie Scarber. Scarber was suspended from duty in September after shooting himself through the chest while at the home of Sandra Camp.
On Thursday, Police Chief J.D. Sanders recommended that Scarber be dismissed.
Lowndes County Sheriff Butch Howard said Scarber was apparently distraught about breaking up with the woman and refused to leave until she spoke with him. Howard said when deputies insisted he leave, Scarber drove down the driveway. Deputies then heard a gunshot and turned to see Scarber stumble out of the car and fall to the ground, the sheriff said.
Scarber has recovered from his wound.
Howard said Friday that investigators had concluded the shooting was accidental. He said his department reached this finding because Scarber denied trying to kill himself and there were no witnesses to contradict his statements.
City Attorney Thomas G. Wallace said the council found Scarber had not only disobeyed orders to stay away from Camp, but had stalked and harassed her as well. Wallace said the council further found Scarber was psychologically unfit for his duties after reviewing reports from two psychologists.
Scarber’s attorney Armstrong Walters declined to comment after Thursday’s hearing.