March 14, 2009

Police: Officer shot while taking gun apart
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Staff Report
Port Orange police said Friday that Officer Gerald Zito accidentally shot himself earlier this week while dismantling a fellow officer's gun.

Zito was alone in the Police Department's training room late Wednesday afternoon examining a .22-caliber handgun he was thinking about buying for personal use, Assistant Chief Wayne Miller said.

While he was in the process of dismantling the firearm, the gun accidentally discharged, and Zito was shot in the lower abdomen, Miller said.

The 58-year-old Zito underwent emergency surgery to his colon, and Friday he was listed in stable condition at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Miller said he expected Zito to remain hospitalized at least through Monday, and he didn't know when Zito would be able to return to work.

An internal investigation into the incident with the 14-year veteran officer continues, Miller said.

I had an 1860 Colt Navy that chased me across the room once. I had to jump on a table to get away from it.

You never know when a handgun will just go nuts on you and start firing away.

I had an 1860 Colt Navy that chased me across the room once. I had to jump on a table to get away from it.

You never know when a handgun will just go nuts on you and start firing away.

(Yes, there are people that believe this stuff.)

I wonder if the wounded cop will get a paid vacation?