Police Officer's Gun Accidentally Discharged At Scene: New London Police

NEW LONDON, CT — Police said they are investigating after a police officer's gun was accidentally discharged after responding to a weapons-related incident.

At 3:08 p.m. Friday, members of the New London Police Department responded to an apartment complex at 159 Hawthorne Drive in New London for a report of a weapons-related incident, police said.

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According to the initial report, a firearm had been discharged from one apartment into a neighboring apartment, police said.

Officers responded and, upon arrival, located evidence consistent with the initial report, police said.

After securing the affected apartment, officers moved to the residence believed to be the origin of the discharged round, police said. Following unsuccessful attempts to contact anyone inside that apartment, officers made entry in the interest of public safety, police said in a news release.

"While securing the apartment, an officer's department-issued weapon was accidentally discharged," police said in a statement. "The apartment was immediately secured, and the round was traced to confirm that no one had been struck or otherwise harmed. No injuries were reported as a result of either the original incident or the accidental discharge. No individuals were located inside the apartment at the time of entry."

Members of the New London Police Department's Investigative Services Section responded to the scene. Evidence was collected, the scene was processed, and the surrounding area was canvassed for additional information and potential witnesses, police said.

Both the originally reported weapons discharge and the accidental discharge by a responding officer remain under active investigation. Maintaining department policy, the accidental discharge will be subject to a full internal review, police said.

"The safety of our residents and officers remains our highest priority," police said in a statement. "We are committed to a thorough and transparent investigation of both matters."

Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the New London Police Department Detective Division at (860) 447-5269, ext. 0. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the New London Police Tip411 system by texting NLPDTip followed by the information to 847411.