BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Authorities say a man has been charged with weapons violations after a Birmingham police officer was accidentally shot and wounded in his leg.
Police say 48-year-old Michael Edward New has been arrested in the Wednesday morning shooting that left an officer hospitalized at UAB. Birmingham police Sgt. Johnny Williams says the injury was not believed to be life-threatening.
Police say employees at a trucking company had been chasing suspects who they believed was breaking into the company. He said officers stopped the people involved in the chase and discovered that two of them had weapons. He said a handgun fell to the ground and discharged while the officer was trying to clear it.
Police say the second man has a permit for his gun. The burglary suspects haven't been arrested.