A Tucson police officer was shot in the hand with his own gun early Monday during a struggle at St. Joseph’s Hospital with a man who had been involved in a fight with two officers earlier, officials say.
The officer was treated for his wound and released, said Sgt. Kimberly Bay, a Tucson Police Department spokeswoman.
Daniel Nelson, 28, who also sustained non-life-threatening injuries, remained in the hospital. He was originally arrested for misdemeanor trespass and felony aggravated assault on two officers after a confrontation at a convenience store in the 5500 block of East Golf Links Road at South Craycroft Road, Bay said.
The two officers who fought with Nelson did not seek medical treatment. Nelson will face additional charges once he is released from the hospital, Bay said.
The incident started about 12:30 a.m. when officers went to the convenience store for a report of a nude man walking outside the store.
When police arrived, the man was wearing shorts. Officers told the man, later identified as Nelson, that he was not wanted on the property, and he left without incident. When officers drove by about an hour later, they saw Nelson back at the store, Bay said.
Nelson fought with both officers outside the store and at one point punched one in the face and tried to stab one with the pin on a badge he had ripped from the shirt of one of the officers, said Bay. Additional officers arrived and helped put him in handcuffs.
Nelson was taken to Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital, 250 N. Wilmot Road. An officer, who did not respond to the initial investigation, remained with Nelson at the hospital.
At about 4 a.m., Nelson was being moved from one bed to another for a medical procedure that required the removal of his handcuffs. Once the handcuffs were taken off, he punched the officer in the face, Bay said. Two hospital employees who were present sought help from the hospital’s security staff.
Nelson removed additional restraints and continued his attack on the officer, Bay said. The officer tried to use his Taser, but Nelson grabbed it and both struggled for the Taser, she said.
The Taser was deployed on Nelson, but there was no noticeable effect, Bay said.
Nelson began choking the officer, and the officer, who was unable to breathe, drew his handgun, said Bay. She said Nelson let go of the officer’s neck with one hand and grabbed the gun with the other hand and both struggled over the firearm.
During the struggle, the gun was fired and the officer was struck in the hand with one round.
The officer continued fighting with Nelson and radioed for emergency assistance. Hospital security and other officers arrived and Nelson was placed back into custody.
Detectives from the violent crimes section are conducting the criminal investigation, and investigators with the department’s internal affairs office are conducting an administrative investigation.
