A Hartford firefighter accused of accidentally shooting a friend last month has been charged with reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge of a firearm and will remain on paid administrative leave throughout the court proceedings.
Hartford police said Justin Wood, 25, of East Hartford, accidentally shot 28-year-old Jose Medina, of Hartford, in the jaw and neck at an apartment on Webster Street shortly after midnight on Nov. 2 while he was with friends.
Medina was taken to Hartford Hospital and treated for his injuries.
Police said Wood was showing Medina a handgun when the weapon accidentally discharged. The weapon is legal and Wood is licensed to carry it, but his permit has been turned over to the state police firearms unit for evaluation, police said.
On Wednesday, detectives in the Hartford police major crime unit obtained an arrest warrant charging Wood with reckless endangerment in the second degree and unlawful discharge of a firearm.
He voluntarily turned himself in to police and the warrant was served without incident, according to police. Wood was released on a written promise to appear and is due in court on Dec. 12.
Hartford Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Helene Lynch said last month that Wood was placed on administrative leave for the duration of the police investigation. On Wednesday, the fire department said in a release that Wood "will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his court proceedings and due process."
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Wood has been a member of Engine Company 5 on Sigourney Street since Dec. 2, 2012.
