Pasadena Officer Accidentally Shot by Colleague During Parking Structure Horseplay

Officer struck in left shoulder after colleague fired through cruiser windshield: dashcam video confirms unsafe, out-of-policy conduct with loaded firearms

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA (June 11, 2026): The Pasadena Police Department released dashcam footage documenting an accidental officer-involved shooting that occurred within the department's own parking structure, in which one officer accidentally discharged a firearm during what the department described as "unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay" with loaded weapons. The round penetrated a police cruiser's windshield and struck a fellow officer in the left shoulder. The injured officer has since recovered. The Pasadena Police Department released the video publicly, and the incident is subject to internal review and potential oversight investigation.

Liability for Los Angeles Accidental Officer-Involved Shootings

Even when a shooting occurs between officers within a department facility, serious legal questions arise under both state and federal law. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights), any person acting under color of law who causes a deprivation of a constitutionally protected right may be held civilly liable. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects individuals against unreasonable seizure, including the application of physical force, may be implicated when an officer is harmed by a colleague's reckless use of a firearm. The standard of objective reasonableness established in Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386 guides courts in evaluating whether force was justified under the circumstances. At the state level, California Penal Code § 835a (Use of Force by Peace Officers) sets the standards governing when and how officers may lawfully deploy force, and deviations from those standards can give rise to liability. Additionally, the California Civil Code § 52.1 (Tom Bane Civil Rights Act) provides a state cause of action where rights secured by the California or United States Constitution are interfered with through threats, intimidation, or coercion. Liability may extend to the individual officer who discharged the weapon, supervising officers who permitted or failed to prevent the dangerous conduct, and the City of Pasadena as the employing agency.

  • Failure to De-escalate: Officers may not have used required de-escalation techniques.
  • Excessive Force: The level of force may be disproportionate to any perceived threat.
  • Lack of Warning: Officers may not have given adequate warning before using force.
  • Mental Health Crisis: Persons in mental distress require specialized response.

The legal theories applicable here include negligence, specifically the reckless handling of a loaded firearm in a non-emergency, non-tactical setting, as well as constitutional violations under federal civil rights law. An injured officer or affected party may pursue compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases involving egregious or reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The public release of the dashcam footage by the Pasadena Police Department may serve as critical evidence in any civil proceeding.

Steps to Take After a Los Angeles Accidental Officer-Involved Shooting

According to the California Department of Justice, which is empowered under AB 1506 (California Department of Justice, Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations) to investigate certain officer-involved shootings, transparency and thorough documentation are essential to accountability in these cases. Preserving evidence early is critical to building a viable civil rights or personal injury claim.

  • Request body camera footage through a California Public Records Act request.
  • Seek the involved officer's use-of-force history and prior complaint records.
  • Request the incident report and any internal affairs investigation documents.
  • File a government tort claim within 6 months of the incident.
  • Consult a civil rights attorney before making any statements to investigators.

Statute of limitations: 2 years, California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. For claims against government entities: Government claim deadline: 6 months, California Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

Investigating Los Angeles Accidental Officer-Involved Shootings

We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the officer who was injured and to all those affected by this preventable incident. Did the Pasadena Police Department have adequate policies in place to prevent officers from engaging in horseplay with loaded firearms, and were those policies being actively enforced? What supervisory failures allowed this dangerous conduct to occur unchecked within a secured department facility?

Do you have questions about a Los Angeles accidental officer-involved shooting? Our team is here for you. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.