Los Angeles: Los Angeles police officers arrested a man with a gun on June 10, 2006. The arrest preceded a foot chase during which one of the officers accidentally discharge his firearm while trying to holster it.
Twenty-six-year-old Javier Colin was arrested around 11:15 AM after Police Officer William Martin, 29, and his partner saw Colin loitering in the 12000 block of Runnymede Street. The officers knew him from prior narcotic and gang activities. Colin was also known to carry a gun.
As the officers approached, Colin withdrew a handgun from a backpack and threw it into the back of a parked pick up truck, then ran away.
The officers gave chase. During the chase, Officer Martin tried to holster his sidearm. He heard a gunshot and radioed, "shots fired." The officers arrested Colin soon after.
Officer Martin realized afterward that the gunshot he had heard had been his own gun firing while he was trying to holster it. The bullet struck the pavement and caused no injury.
Colin was booked for a felon in possession of a firearm.
Officer Martin's accidental discharge will be investigated by the Force Investigation Division in the same manner as other officer-involved shootings.
Officer Martin is assigned to North Hollywood Police Station. He has been with LAPD for 7 years.
2006 archives 
