Nov. 12--A Memphis police officer wounded in an accidental shooting remained in critical but stable condition Monday, according to MPD spokeswoman Sgt. Karen Rudolph.
Willie Bryant, 32, of MPD's Organized Crime Unit, was struck in the back by a shotgun blast fired by a fellow officer on Thursday. The shot was intended for a large dog that met officers after they forced entry into a North Memphis home while executing a search warrant.
An investigation into the incident is continuing.
Rudolph said the nature of Bryant's injuries will not be disclosed in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects the privacy of health information. Police reported after the incident that Bryant had undergone surgery and was recovering in the Regional Medical Center at Memphis' intensive care unit.
Bryant was wearing a protective vest when he was shot. Speaking to local media on Friday, MPD Director Toney Armstrong explained how Bryant could be wounded while wearing the protective equipment.
"It comes down to your waist," Armstrong said of the vests. "But occasionally, these things happen. We have had officers that have been wearing vests and sometimes that bullet finds its way into an opening."
Thursday's incident was the 35th time officers have used their firearms in dog encounters this year, according to MPD.
Copyright 2012 - The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.
