Washington deputy accidentally shot wife while handling firearm

A deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state allegedly shot his wife by accident Wednesday night while handling his firearm.

According to a Moses Lake Police Department news release, 28-year-old Jose Rivera called 911 on Wednesday evening and said he had accidentally shot his wife while handling a firearm in their home.

Upon arriving at the scene, Moses Lake police officers found 25-year-old Sydney A. Rivera suffering from a single gunshot wound. She remained conscious while being transported to the hospital and is listed in stable condition. Able to speak with officers in the hospital, she confirmed the shooting was not a result of domestic violence.

An investigation conducted by the Central Basin Investigative Team, a group formed to investigate officer-related shootings in the area, has so far indicated that Rivera was handling the firearm when it discharged and struck his wife. The gun, of which no further details have been released, was recovered at the scene, along with a spent case.

Rivera’s 4-month-old child was the only other person in the home at the time of the shooting, and no drugs or alcohol are suspected to have been involved.

Since January 2016, Rivera has worked as a patrol deputy for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. He is also a member of member of the US Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force and the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team. Previously, he was an officer with the Royal City Police Department for three years.

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