Officer injured by dropped, holstered gun sues gunmaker

<p>A Stamford police officer is suing gunmaker Sig Sauer after suffering injuries when his gun accidentally fired.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 9, 2017, 10:53 AM

Updated 2,444 days ago

Share:

A Stamford police officer is suing one of the world's largest gunmakers after his pistol accidentally fired and shot him in the leg.
Officer Vincent Sheperis, of the Special Response Team, is suing Sig Sauer for $6 million in damages. He says his P320 pistol was in its holster when it fell to the ground and went off, shooting him in the leg in January.
"My client was in the process of placing the weapon into the back seat of his SUV. It slipped, descended to the ground, and then fired when it hit the ground. Then it struck him in the leg," says Jeffrey Bagnell, Sheperis' attorney. 
Sheperis' lawsuit says the officer has since needed several operations and still hasn't been able to return to full police duty. Sheperis is demanding the gun be recalled or that a label be required warning that the gun is not safe to drop.
The Stamford Police Department has since shelved the gun.
News 12 has learned that Sig Sauer recently issued a "voluntary upgrade" for all P320 pistols, noting that "Recent events indicate that dropping the P320 beyond the U.S. standards for safety may cause an unintentional discharge."


More from News 12
1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:17
Cloudy skies, breezy conditions and rain on Long Island

Cloudy skies, breezy conditions and rain on Long Island

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

2:00
Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

0:49
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

0:13
Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

0:23
West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

0:25
Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

0:19
Police: Suspect wanted for shooting at car in Riverhead

Police: Suspect wanted for shooting at car in Riverhead

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex