Detective Jay Poggi shot his partner, both assigned to the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, in the wrist at about 1:50 a.m. Thursday morning.
Police say Poggi and his partner were driving to a Queens location as part of an investigation when he accidentally fired his .38 caliber revolver.
According to court documents, Poggi was showing his partner the barrel of his gun, and the weapon went off.
The partner, a 12 year veteran, was shot in the wrist.
Detective Poggi rushed his partner to Jamaica Hospital where he required surgery, and is listed in stable condition.
Poggi's lawyer says the officer was just trying to save his partner's life. "He drove his partner to the hospital," said attorney James Moschella. "And part of the allegation of driving while intoxicated is driving his partner to get life-saving treatment at the hospital, which you certainly can't fault him for."
Officials say Poggi refused to submit to a breath-alcohol test following the shooting. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, and has been released on his own recognizance. His driver's license has been suspended.
According to court documents, Poggi's blood alcohol level was .113 when the legal limit is .08.
Poggi's next court date is June 16th.
The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the incident.
