Video: Officer accidentally fires gun during traffic stop

Butler Twp. police have released video that shows a traffic stop where an officer accidentally fired his gun.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon as an officer tried to order the driver out of a vehicle following a brief pursuit.

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Butler Twp. Police Chief John M. Porter said that Russell D. Higgins III, 19, was seen driving his dark gray 2012 Dodge Charger in a reckless manner in the area of Benchwood Road and North Dixie Drive.

The driver stopped in the strip center parking lot just off north Dixie Drive near Walmart.

The accidental gunshot happened when the officer transferred his gun from one hand to another to answer a dispatcher on the radio, Porter said.

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Prior to the shot fired, Higgins ignored repeated orders by the officer to step out of the vehicle, which Porter said was covered by very dark, and illegal, window tint.

The driver cracked the door an inch or two for a second then slammed it shut again.

Moments later, you see the gunshot from off-screen and a puff of smoke at the driver’s side window.

Higgins was not hit. He stepped out of the car and was detained.

Porter said Higgins placed himself and the officer in a dangerous situation.