Former Trooper Who Fired Gun In Cape Cod Restaurant Won't Be ID'd

DENNIS, MA — A retired Massachusetts State Police trooper whose gun went off at a Cape Cod restaurant last year will not be publicly identified. State Supervisor of Public Records Rebecca Murray agreed with the Dennis Police Department in keeping the trooper's name redacted given the license to carry exemption, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The trooper's gun went off at Jason's Tavern in Dennis on March 16, 2018. He and his friends were in a booth when he took out a 9-mm Sig Sauer P938, removed the magazine and chambered round and locked the slide back, according to the Times. One of the trooper's friends had the gun, and it was later returned to him.

The trooper was accused of reloading and seating the magazine, causing a single round to be fired into the bench when the slide came forward, the Times reported. Authorities found there was sufficient evidence to seek a criminal complaint, and a clerk magistrate hearing was held in private to determine if charges should be brought.

According to the Times, the license to carry exemption cited by authorities in keeping the trooper's name redacted aims to prevent those "with devious motives" from learning the identities of people with guns.