SHAMOKIN, PA : City officer suspended for accidentally discharging weapon on Monday, January 30th 2017

A veteran city police officer has been suspended for the second time in less than a year.

Mayor William Milbrand confirmed Monday afternoon that Patrolman Scott Weaver was suspended by Police Chief Darwin Tobias III for five days without pay and placed on probation for one year for accidentally discharging a weapon while responding to a burglar alarm at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at Rob’s Good Time Grill at the corner of Market and Spruce streets.

No injuries occurred as a result of the accidental shooting.

“It was an accident, but I’m concerned it happened,” commented Milbrand. “As far as I know, the officer has not appealed the suspension, which he is currently serving.”

Tobias, who didn’t identify the officer involved in the incident, said two patrolmen went to the business to investigate a burglar alarm. Upon arriving, they attempted to make entry into the basement.

Tobias said one of the officers then pushed open a door that flew back toward him and struck the officer in the right hand, causing him to accidentally discharge one shot from his pistol into the ground.

The chief said no intruder was found at the business.

He said the officer immediately reported the incident to him and was willing to serve the suspension.

“I’m very thankful nobody was injured,” Tobias said Monday. “It was an accident. There was no intent by the officer to fire his weapon. He was ordered to undergo remedial training for firearm safety and corrective action and disciplinary measures have been taken against him, which I feel are absolutely necessary.”

Tobias said the five-day suspension took effect Friday.

Efforts to reach Weaver for comment about the suspension were unsuccessful.

Weaver was suspended in March for three days without pay and placed on probation for six months after Peter Pereira, of Shamokin, escaped from his custody at the city police station March 11, prompting an extensive manhunt by officers from eight agencies.

Pereira was not handcuffed or shackled when he escaped through a back door at the police station shortly after being arraigned there by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on robbery-related charges. He was charged with taking a white Motorola Boost phone out of the hand of Gerald Zimmerman, whom he accused of talking to his baby’s mother. The incident occurred March 9 at Pereira’s apartment.

Pereira was able to elude law enforcement personnel for several days before handing himself over to authorities.

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City officer suspended for accidentally discharging weapon