Pasadena officer shoots colleague during 'horseplay,' chief says

Key Points:

• In September 2025, a Pasadena police officer accidentally shot and wounded a colleague in the shoulder during what Police Chief Gene Harris described as "unsafe, out-of-policy horseplay" inside the department's parking garage.
• The shooting was captured on a police cruiser dashcam video, which was withheld from public release for nearly 10 months due to an ongoing investigation, despite California law generally requiring release within 45 days.
• The video shows one officer drawing a handgun and pointing it at an approaching cruiser before reholstering it; moments later, the driver’s firearm discharged, injuring the other officer, who has since recovered.
• The shooting officer, Roy Alatorre, has separated from the city, and the incident has been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney and Police Officers Standards and Training, though the DA has not yet received a report.
• Pasadena officials condemned the behavior as unprofessional, with Mayor Victor Gordo supporting the police chief’s handling of the investigation and disciplinary actions.