Winnipeg Police said the actions of an officer, accidentally shot by his own weapon, may have saved his own life.
The member of the tactical unit was shot in the leg by his holstered gun while getting back into his vehicle last week in a Sobey's parking lot.
"He had his lunch in one hand and was opening the car door and seating himself with the other hand and the gun went off,” said Const. Jay Murray
The injury severed three arteries in his leg causing rapid and significant blood loss.
"I've seen the pictures, and his sushi was floating in his blood on the blood map, that's how quickly he was bleeding out," said Sgt. Shane Cooke
Police said the officer quickly made use of a tourniquet device and wrapped it around his leg to prevent more blood loss, while also receiving help from three other officers. A move police said was crucial.
"You have about 90 seconds before you reach a state of irreversible shock and you're going to die from something like that," said Cooke
An investigation has revealed the officer did not touch the weapon. The probe is ongoing as to how the gun fired in the holster and if the weapon is faulty.
"His hand was not on the firearm, it wasn't near the firearm, and we have no evidence to believe the trigger was pulled," said Murray
In 46 years, first as an RCMP officer and later a firearms safety expert, Richard Brault said he's never heard of this happening. The retired Mountie said it's virtually impossible for a gun to fire in the holster, because the holster is part of the safety feature that prevents the weapon from firing.
"The probability is extremely high that there was some malfunctioning inside the gun," said Murray
Police said the rest of the weapons used by tactical members have been examined and were determined safe for use.
