By B. Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A St. Louis County police officer, who authorities at first thought may have tried to commit suicide, apparently was accidentally shot by a colleague while both were off-duty.
Patricia March is hospitalized in critical but stable condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head Monday. Tuesday, officials charged police officer Tom Ziegler with second-degree assault, armed criminal action and drug possession.
St. Louis County Police spokesman Mason Keller said Ziegler recklessly caused serious physical injury to March by knowingly pointing a loaded handgun at her which accidentally discharged.
Keller says Officer Ziegler is being held on $75,000 bond and has been suspended without pay pending an investigation.