MANSFIELD — A 50-year-old Mansfield police officer was taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital on Friday morning after accidentally shooting himself in the leg.
Officer Charles Hamilton, a 10-year department veteran, was investigating a report of a house break-in along Lind Avenue, according to police Chief Keith Porch.
“As he approached the house, he removed his service weapon from his holster and accidentally shot himself in the leg,” Porch said early Friday afternoon.
“He was taken to OhioHealth Mansfield, where he is being treated,” Porch said.
Officers Shane Gess, Cameron Sheperd, and Eric Buchanan all administered first aid at the scene before Mansfield Fire EMS arrived.
Officer Hamilton was transported to Ohio Health’s Emergency Department and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A neighbor, Sarah Lawrence, said she heard the gunshot and saw the officer lying face down in the grass.
“(The gunshot) did kind of scare me with all the shootings that have been going on,” she said. “I said, ‘They’re not getting away this time. I am getting a license plate number or something.’
“I came outside and (the officer) is lying face down and he’s moaning. A guy came over to him and (asked if he was OK.) He said, ‘No, I accidentally shot myself in the leg.'”
Two house inspectors were inside the vacant Lind Avenue property to which Hamilton was responded. They were interviewed by police and then allowed to leave.
Hamilton, who retired from the U.S. Navy in March 2012 after 20 years of service, was hired by the Mansfield Police Department on Aug. 14, 2013.
