EMMETT, Idaho -- More details have been released about an Emmett shooting that injured three people, including two toddlers and their mother. Police say one of the children was responsible for firing the gun and the gun belonged to a police officer.
The shooting happened on August 6 at an Emmett police officer's home in rural Gem County. Detective Sgt. Kim Judy was at home with her roommate, 20-year-old Whisper Rowden, and her three young children.
A single bullet was fired from one of the officer's work guns; that bullet struck three people.
"No arteries were hit, no bones were hit. Oh, man it could have been so much worse. Very fortunate for an unfortunate situation," said Emmett Police Chief Steve Nebeker.
Police say Rowden's 3-year-old son somehow got a hold of Judy's work gun and fired just one shot while in the bedroom. He was the first person hit.
"The 3-year-old - went through this thigh, the 2-year-old was either sitting or beside the bed, those facts I'm not clear on, went through his hand, and the 20-year-old roommate went into her arm, and almost exited the back of her arm but did not exit," said Nebeker.
Nebeker said Judy immediately took the victims to the hospital.
Rowden and the 3-year-old were released the same day, the 2-year-old was taken to Boise for further treatment.
Judy remains on active duty, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Nebeker plans to compare the findings to the department's internal guidelines on firearms. If disciplinary action is necessary she could face termination.
"Our policy says we have to keep them out of the hands of children and irresponsible adults, so it's the officer's job and duty to do that," said Nebeker. "Small department - it hits home, and plus everybody knows everybody in our community. So again, the main thing I can says is it's a very tragic incident that happened, but luckily nobody was injured so we're very, very thankful for that."
Nebeker would not say where Judy left her gun, citing the ongoing investigation.
Some in the community have asked why the police department did not release some of this information earlier, accusing them of a cover-up. But the chief says that's not true.
The shooting happened in Gem County and the sheriff's office was the lead investigating agency.
To avoid any conflict of interest, the sheriff's office asked Idaho State Police to take over the investigation. Nebeker said he was unable to comment about the incident until that report was complete. He received it last week, and immediately shared it with the local press.
To avoid further conflict of interest, the Gem County Prosecutor's Office has forwarded the case to Ada County. They are still reviewing the case.
