Trending Topics

Fla. deputy accidentally shoots another deputy; vest prevents injury

The Associated Press

PAHOKEE, Fla. A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy was examined and released from a hospital Thursday after being accidentally shot by another deputy, authorities said.

One deputy had pulled over a car in Pahokee early Thursday morning after seeing it weaving and drive through a stop sign, said sheriff’s spokesman Paul Miller. Another deputy arrived as backup, according to The Palm Beach Post.

The driver, William Venable, 44, had a disassembled rifle in the back seat, Miller said. As the first deputy was trying to take it apart, it accidentally fired and shot the other deputy in the chest.

A bulletproof vest prevented injury, Miller said.

Venable was given traffic citations.

Both deputies, whose names have not been released, remained on active duty. The shooting was under investigation.