A police officer in Bedford, New Hampshire, was injured overnight after being shot by their own gun during a struggle with a suspect.
Bedford Police Chief Daniel Douidi said at a press conference that two patrol officers responded around 12:53 a.m. Saturday to the area of South River Road near the Country Inn and Suites for a report of a suspicious vehicle in a wooded area.
Upon arrival, the two officers -- including a K9 officer -- began investigating.
The suspect was identified as Jared Masseur, 40, of Nashua. During the investigation, he fled on foot. The officers attempted to take him into custody after numerous attempts to find out his identity, but he resisted and began to struggle with the officers.
During the struggle, Douidi said a gun discharged as Masseur reached for one of the officers' holsters to try to take his service weapon. The officer's gun fired, striking the officer in the upper thigh.
The wounded officer gained control of the weapon and called for his K9, Odin, who assisted the two officers in apprehending Masseur, Douidi said.
Masseur sustained minor injuries from the scuffle and the K9 and was treated by emergency medical service and taken to a local hospital.
The Bedford officer who was shot was taken to a Manchester hospital for treatment and is expected to be released sometime this weekend.
"The worst nightmare is a chief or any of our officers getting that phone call in the middle of the night that an officer was hurt or involved in a shooting," Douidi said. "It's not an easy thing for us. That's the worst calls. Thank God, like I said, the officer it could've been a worse outcome. Prayers and thoughts are for the officer, obviously."
Masseur is facing four charges, including resisting arrest, felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, attempting to take a weapon from a law enforcement officer and second degree assault. Douidi said additional charges could also be forthcoming.
Masseur is being held without bail after a virtual hearing Saturday. He'll be arraigned Monday in Merrimack District Court. Attorney information wasn't immediately available.
"This guy was a dangerous criminal," Douidi said. "The reason why he ran and fled from our officers, is he had some felony warrants for drug activity, weapons."
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
