http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...46/detail.html


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DENVER -- An off-duty sheriff's deputy accidentally shot his duty weapon in a gym in Fort Collins on Monday, barely missing a 14-year-old girl who was in another room, Fort Collins police said.

The deputy, Lt. Robert Cook, is a 19-year veteran of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

The .45-caliber semi-automatic weapon discharged when Cook was in the men's locker room changing clothes, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan. After his workout, Cook picked up his gun and pants out of a locker when the shot was fired. Police believe the safety may have been turned off.

The bullet went through the locker and locker room wall and into another room where a 14-year-old club member was sitting. The bullet narrowly missed her, the Coloradoan said.

The name of the teen has not been released.

Terry Miller, the girl's father, hopes the incident will lead to positive change.

Miller hopes to see a review of the sheriff's office's weapons policy.

"It (the locker) is not a secure location in my mind," Miller told the Coloradoan.

The anger Miller felt Monday night has passed, and he said he feels for Cook.

"I can only imagine how devastated he is. It has to be his worst nightmare. He's not a bad guy," Miller told the newspaper.

Cook is back on duty, but an internal investigation is being done and the department is reviewing its policies, safety and training.

"Given this is a 19-year veteran, someone who has a tremendous record in the agency and is not known to be reckless with firearms ... it's a big surprise," said the commander of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office patrol division, Justin Smith.
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