An East Ellijay police officer has been placed on administrative leave after being shot while off duty.
Sgt. Noel Loera, 36, was shot in the upper leg while in Knoxville, Tenn., on vacation with his wife and another couple, said East Ellijay Public Safety Director Larry Callahan. Loera is on leave pending a departmental investigation into the incident.
Knoxville police officers were called to the Hyatt Place Hotel on Gay Street at 3:46 a.m., Jan. 26, to investigate a shooting.
“Based on our investigation, it was determined that there was a disturbance inside the room involving Mr. Loera, his wife and two other parties,” said Scott Erland, communications manager with the Knoxville Police Department. “During that dispute, Mr. Loera’s wife picked up a gun that was in the room, and the gun unintentionally discharged during the disturbance.”
Loera was treated for ‘nonlife threatening’ injuries at the UT Medical Center, according to Erland.
Knox County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case following the investigation and declined to prosecute Amber Loera, 33, in the case. The case has been closed.
“Loera’s wife did not want to pursue prosecution for any potential domestic incident that preceded the shooting,” said Erland.
Callahan said the weapon used in the shooting was a 9mm Glock, which was Loera’s city issued back-up weapon.
No determination had been made in the departmental investigation as of press time.