Pennsylvania Department Opens Investigation Into In-Custody OIS Incident

An officer with the New Hope (PA) Police Department reportedly thought he was holding his TASER when he squeezed the trigger and struck a man with a bullet instead.

An officer with the New Hope (PA) Police Department reportedly thought he was holding his TASER when he squeezed the trigger and struck a man with a bullet instead.

The man was severely wounded but survived the shooting.

According to the Bucks County Courier Times, the incident occurred in early March. In mid-April, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub found Zimmerman not justified, but excused.

Officer Matt Zimmerman—a 33-year veteran of the department—filed paperwork requesting immediate retirement earlier this month.

According to reports, Zimmerman had his TASER on his dominant side just in front of his sidearm, which is against agency policy.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said in a statement, "This violation of policy…. does not constitute a violation of law."

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