SWAT team member shot by own gun during training exercise

MANTUA, Box Elder County — A sheriff's SWAT team member was injured Friday when his gun accidentally fired during a training exercise.

The accident occurred just after 1 p.m. at the Dock Flats Campground, Box Elder County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Potter said. The deputy was climbing a steep ravine with an AR-15 rifle slung over his back when the weapon discharged. The man was struck in the left ankle and was transported to Brigham City Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Potter said it is not unusual for a deputy's weapon to have a live round in the chamber during training exercises, but typically the gun would be left on safety to protect against an accidental discharge.

"There was obviously some kind of mistake here for this to happen," Potter said. "The gun should be on safety."

The man, whose name has not been released, is 42 years old and has worked for the sheriff's office for seven years, Potter said. The cause of the accident was still under investigation.

— Benjamin Wood