MANSFIELD—A police officer in Mansfield was injured on Thursday morning in what appears to have been an accidental discharge of his weapon.
According to authorities, Officer Charles Hamilton was responding to a potential burglary in progress at a residence on Lind Ave. around 10:06 AM. As he approached the scene on foot, Hamilton drew his service weapon, which subsequently discharged and struck him in the right leg.
Fellow officers Shane Gess, Cameron Sheperd, and Eric Buchanan quickly arrived on the scene and administered first aid before Mansfield Fire EMS arrived. Hamilton was then transported to Ohio Health’s Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries, which were deemed non-life-threatening.
Hamilton has been a member of the Mansfield Police Department since 2013. It is unclear at this time what caused the weapon to discharge, and the incident is currently under investigation.
No further information is available at this time.