Pasadena Police Release Video of Officer Shooting Colleague in 'Horseplay' Incident

A Pasadena police officer shot and wounded a colleague in the shoulder during an incident described as "unsafe, out-of-policy horseplay" in the department’s parking garage on September 7, 2025. The Pasadena Police Department released dashcam footage of the incident on Wednesday, nearly 10 months after the shooting occurred. Police Chief Gene Harris initially withheld the video, citing an exception to California’s law requiring police shootings be released. The footage shows two officers standing near an open police SUV as a patrol car approaches. One officer draws his handgun, points it at the approaching vehicle, and then reholsters it. Moments later, the officer in the patrol car fires his weapon, striking the colleague in the shoulder. The injured officer sustained serious injuries but has since recovered. California law mandates the release of police shooting videos, but Chief Harris invoked an exception during the investigation. The video does not include audio, and the exact sequence of events leading to the discharge remains under investigation.