Officer Tries to Shoot Rat on Arm, Hits Self
- Share via
DETROIT — An off-duty Detroit police officer shot himself in the shoulder while trying to kill a rat that he said attacked him in his garage, police officials said.
The gunshots brought about 10 patrol cars speeding to Joel P. Johnson’s west side home Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Johnson, 23, told fellow officers that he was inside his garage when the rat jumped onto his arm and he could not shake it off. He said he fired his gun at the rat but hit himself instead.
Johnson, assigned to the 4th Precinct, was admitted to Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital. The rat reportedly escaped unharmed.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
