Veteran cop accidentally shoots himself at the training academy, Texas police say

A veteran police officer in Texas is recovering after officials say a training exercise went horribly wrong.

A group of officers were training at the Houston police academy Tuesday morning when an officer — who has not been identified — tried to take his gun from his holster, KTRK reported.

That’s when police say the weapon accidentally went off.

The bullet went through the officer’s thigh and out through his ankle, police chief Art Acevedo said, according to KHOU.

Following the shooting, the officer was alert and stable before being transported to a local hospital, police said in a Twitter post.

The officer has been with the Houston police department for 27 years and works in the major offender’s division, KHOU reported.

Joe Gamaldi, president of the Houston Police Officer’s Union, thanked members of the community for their outpouring of support.

“Thanks for all that checked on our officer,” he wrote on Twitter. “Prayers for a speedy recovery.”

Acevedo says he believes the holster’s design led to the accidental shooting and that it will no longer be used by the department, KHOU reported.