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Stumbling Cop Who Shot Suspect Won't Be Charged

October 15, 2009 |

A San Mateo, Calif., police officer won't be charged for shooting and wounding a suspect in August, partly because his gun went off by accident when he tripped on a curb, authorities said Wednesday.

Joseph Ortega, 24, was shot in the chest Aug. 13 by Detective Kurt Rodenspiel after Ortega slammed a Mitsubishi Eclipse into a car carrying police officers on the 1400 block of Newbridge Avenue in San Mateo.

Read full story at sfgate.com.

Tags: Accidental Shootings, San Mateo (Calif.) PD

Comments (1)

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1
Review @ 9/6/2012 9:58 AM I DARE ANY CIVILIAN to try this...step out of your car with a loaded unlocked, semi-automatic , "stumble" your clumsy self over a curb, and let the resulting bullets spray into a crowd of people, cars, children, a school, public building...then stand before a judge and see if you attain a lenient shoulder shrug and smile from the courts, labeling your clumsiness an accident and no charges pressed...Amazing hoe much you can get away with in the ol blue uniform huh?

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

Review @ 9/6/2012 9:58 AM

I DARE ANY CIVILIAN to try this...step out of your car with a loaded unlocked, semi-automatic , "stumble" your clumsy self over a curb, and let the resulting bullets spray into a crowd of people, cars, children, a school, public building...then stand before a judge and see if you attain a lenient shoulder shrug and smile from the courts, labeling your clumsiness an accident and no charges pressed...Amazing hoe much you can get away with in the ol blue uniform huh?

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