An Elk Grove police officer says he shot a man Thursday night after mistaking the end of a barbecue lighter for the barrel of a gun.
The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation. Sheriff's spokesman Shaun Hampton says the officer told investigators he and his partner noticed the man behaving erratically and holding a black, shiny tube which went up his sleeve.
"An officer observed this and observed his behavior," Hampton says. "They went to make contact, not knowing what the object was, but believing it was the barrel of a handgun. The suspect turned away, placed his hands toward the middle of his waist, and then quickly turned around as the officers exited their vehicle."
Hampton says video of the incident shows the officer then firing his weapon and the man immediately putting his hands in the air to surrender.
Deputies later discovered the bullet had grazed the man, but he was not seriously injured.
The man is described only as a 25-year-old Caucasian. He was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant related to a previous charge of resisting arrest.
The officer is on administrative leave. He has 19 years of experience as an officer, 13 with Elk Grove PD.
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