Rookie SF police officer accidentally shoots himself to death

[Kadie]

Rookie SF police officer accidentally shoots himself to death
John Cote, Chronicle Staff Writer

Monday, August 13, 2007


(08-13) 10:27 PDT SAN MATEO -- An off-duty San Francisco rookie police officer died after he accidentally shot himself during a party at his San Mateo apartment over the weekend, authorities said today.

James Gustafson, 23, of San Mateo died early Saturday. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, San Mateo County coroner Robert Foucrault said.

"I believe he was at a party and sometime during the party the weapon was produced and discharged," Foucrault said.

San Mateo police responded to a report of gunshot in the 100 block of El Camino Real at 1:40 a.m. and found Gustafson wounded in his apartment.

"The victim was at home with friends when the tragic accident occurred," police Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said in a statement. "The victim was in possession of his firearm when he accidentally discharged it, striking himself."

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/13/BAGKARHNPS6.DTL

[AX10]

1. It could have been worse, he could have shot an innocent person...

on the street.

[EFerrari]

7. Not fair. There are plenty of good guys in our PD. Please.

I can't tell you how many times I've asked for help for people in my neighborhood and got great, thoughtful response from my police department.

Every responsibility this city ditches winds up in their laps. And they are cops -- not doctors or social workers or substance abuse specialists or shrinks. And this city uses them in those capacities 24/7.

There are jerks at any job site. I don't apologize for them. But the SFPD has a whole buffet of social problems to deal with every time they step out of their station or squad car. And 9 of 10 of them are good people trying to do their job.

:rant:

[atreides1]

8. What you say is probably true

But, when those 9 of 10 support without question that one bad cop, and when it's proven beyond a doubt that it was a bad cop, they never apologize to the citizens for their stand, and seem to consider those citizens the enemy.

[EFerrari]

10. Yes, the flip side of solidarity is groupthink, no doubt. n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Let's just wait until all the evidence is out.

Maybe he had a good reason.

j/k

[DemGa]

3. Seems like every day another needless victim of the police...

[BlooInBloo]

4. If he was a clean cop, then that's sad.

[Enrique]

5. it's not a party until a rookie cop shoots himself

[Wilber_Stool]

6. He said he could catch a bullet with his teeth.

I thought he could.

[Cha]

9. It's tragic..I'm sorry

something stupid like this has to happen.