Rookie SF police officer accidentally shoots himself to death

John Cote, Chronicle Staff Writer

Monday, August 13, 2007

(08-13) 10:27 PDT SAN MATEO -- An off-duty San Francisco rookie police officer died after he accidentally shot himself during a party at his San Mateo apartment over the weekend, authorities said today.

James Gustafson, 23, of San Mateo died early Saturday. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, San Mateo County coroner Robert Foucrault said.

"I believe he was at a party and sometime during the party the weapon was produced and discharged," Foucrault said.

San Mateo police responded to a report of gunshot in the 100 block of El Camino Real at 1:40 a.m. and found Gustafson wounded in his apartment.

"The victim was at home with friends when the tragic accident occurred," police Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said in a statement. "The victim was in possession of his firearm when he accidentally discharged it, striking himself."

It was unclear whether the gun was Gustafson's service weapon, Foucrault said.

"It was a tragic death, to say the least," he said.

sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/13/BAGKARHNPS6.DTL

Wow... good thing SF and other PD's try to avoid hiring "gun nuts" to be cops.


Torn between calling him a dumbshit and the usual RIP Brother.

Rule #1 - the gun is always loaded.

At least he wasn't a 5yr old.

Oh man!

Quoted: Quoted: I have seen plenty of soldiers and Marines have negligent discharges. It happens. I think the smart ass comments about "not hiring gun nuts", good shoot, a photo of Darwin etc are unfounded and inappropriate. People make mistakes. And mistakes with firearms are lethal and can be avoided. But they don't make someone stupid or worthless. If it had been one of our members who NGed and killed themself would you be laughing? In combat, I can understand. At a party at 1:40 Saturday morning, no excuse to have the gun out.

That's the only reason I said "Good Shoot".  The irresponsible individual (worded so as not to seem disrespectful) may well have harmed somebody else.  Where's the justice in that?

Quoted: Oh man!

Going straight down the tubes quick...

IBTL

I will bet next weeks pay check that alcohol was involved.

Alcohol and gunsirresponsible people don't mix.

Quoted: I will bet next weeks pay check that alcohol was involved. Alcohol and gunsirresponsible people don't mix.

maybe weed, or coke, or meth also.

I think this incident is indicative of some of the mindsets that cops have when they officially become cops.

This is what happens in a society where guns are taboo. Pretty soon, nobody knows how to handle guns with the proper respect, and they become toys or playthings, with similar results to this.

Alcohol=NO guns. Absolutely tragic, entirely preventable incident.

Stupid mistake, but RIP officer.

That wasn't an accidental shooting. That was him being a dumbass. Just like 99% of 'accidental' shootings.

guns and boos don't mix. no matter how trained you think you are.

Quoted: This is what happens in a society where guns are taboo. Pretty soon, nobody knows how to handle guns with the proper respect, and they become toys or playthings, with similar results to this.

No, I'm pretty sure some cavemen ended up stuck with their own spears as well.  A certain portion of the population happen to be dipshits and like to get themselves dead by trying to impress those around them.

Quoted:  Good Shoot

Please do not be an asshole.

Quoted: Quoted:  Good Shoot Please do not be an asshole.

If somebody had to be harmed because of his inability to safely handle a firearm....

it only seems fair.

Could've been somebody else.  If that makes me an asshole, oh well.  

we do not applaud the accidental death of law enforcement officers