Black cop is shot off duty by a ‘fearful’ white officer
The shooting scene AN off-duty black police officer was shot by a white colleague alleged to have “automatically feared” him.
The white cop was one of three chasing gunmen in a stolen car when the armed victim, 38, came out of his home to help.
He was shot in the arm and taken to hospital in St Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday but has since been discharged.
Police have said it was a “friendly fire incident” but the injured officer’s lawyer said he was “automatically feared” as a black man.
Acting police chief Lawrence O’toole said two officers recognised their colleague after ordering him to the ground.
When they told him to walk towards them the third officer, 36, allegedly misinterpreted the scene.
Mr O’toole said: “An officer just arriving observed this and, fearing for his safety and apparently not recognising the off-duty officer, discharged a shot.” Two 17-year-olds were arrested at the scene.