Waltham Officer Accidentally Shoots Self, Sent To Hospital

WALTHAM, MA — A Waltham Police Officer shot herself Thursday morning when their department-issued firearm accidentally discharged on School Avenue.

Several police and fire units were called to a home on School Ave just after 7:15 a.m. firefighters helped load someone into an ambulance and took them to the hospital, according to fire officials.

The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injury, police said.

"The preliminary investigation revealed that no one else was involved or injured," police said in a statement.

Officials say they are investigating the incident but treating it as a confidential personnel matter.

"I can't comment further," Det. Sgt. Joe Guigno told Patch.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy echoed that sentiment.

"It's going to be a personnel matter, that's what the chief tells me," said McCarthy in a phone interview with Patch.

"They'll do an investigation and then after that they'll determine the cause. But they're entitled to privacy because of Massachusetts privacy rights, and collective bargaining, they have a right for us not to comment on personnel matters.

The mayor said she doesn't recall anything like this happening in her tenure as mayor before, but she has confidence in the policy and procedure in place at the department.

"First and foremost I hope the officer is alright. That's my number one concern," she said. "And I'm sure the policies and procedures of the police department will take care of the prevention of this in the future."

Multiple reports indicated the officer involved is a 30-year veteran of the force.

The full release:

"On Thursday at 7:18 a.m. a Waltham Police officer's department issued firearm accidentally discharged outside of a School Avenue address in Waltham. The officer suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The preliminary investigation reveated that no one else was involved or injured. The incident is being treated as a personnel matter, as such there will be no further comment."