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Black 'Off-Duty' Police Officer Shot By Colleague In 'Severe' Incident

Black 'Off-Duty' Police Officer Shot By Colleague In 'Severe' Incident

A worrying situation.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

St. Louis police have confirmed that a black off-duty police officer has been shot by a colleague on Wednesday night.

The Missouri Metropolitan Police Department said, in a statement, that officers were responding to a possible car theft after recognition software flagged up a license plate.

When the suspects were stopped by police they fired shots at the on-duty officers, while the off-duty officer came out with his firearm to offer assistance.

The on-duty team asked the 38-year-old, with 11 years' service with the force, to get on the ground to which he complied.

Once they recognised him, they told him to stand up and walk toward him.

The statement continued: "At this time, a responding officer (a 36-year-old white male with over eight years' service) just arriving in the area observed this and fearing for his safety and apparently not recognizing the off-duty officer, discharged a shot, striking the off-duty officer in the arm."

Credit: PA

The victim has since been released from hospital after being treated for his wounds.

However, the victim's lawyer, Rufus J. Tate Jr., believes the incident is more serious than reported. He claims that it could be more severe than an accident as the police department gave no description of a threat about the off-duty officer.

"This is the first time that we are aware, that a black professional, in law enforcement, himself being hot and treated as an ordinary black guy on the street," Tate told Fox News. "This is the real problem."

The police have now launched an investigation into the incident. The accused police officer has been placed on administrative leave, along with six other officers.

Credit: PA

As for the suspects, one of the three suspects in the car was shot in the ankle.

When asked for comment, by the Huffington Post, the St. Louis Police Department declined. None of the police officers involved have been identified.

The news comes after authorities released dash cam footage on Tuesday of another black man, Philando Castile, being shot by a police officer in Minnesota.

Jeronimo Yanez shot Castile, despite footage showing him complying with orders.

Castile's friend, John Thompson, said: "It's just like a punch in my stomach. Look what happened to Philando for doing all the right things. It hurts. Every time I talk about it, it hurts."

He added: "I'm so tired of being tired, I'm so tired of being sad, I'm so tired of being angry at this system."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Police, America, Race