Detroit fire captain in critical condition after accidental shooting

DETROIT (WJBK) - More details are emerging about the Detroit fire official who accidentally shot himself Monday night.

One day later and Detroit fire captain Brett Jackson is currently in critical condition.

"All I heard was a shot, that's all I heard," said Irma Cope.

Irma Cope heard the gun shot not realizing it was actually her neighbor. Jackson, a 29-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department accidentally shot himself in the groin at about 10 p.m. that night.

"I'm shocked, I'm shocked because he is a good person," Cope said.

Cope's family has lived by Jackson for years and watched as police and EMS rushed to his house on Hartford.

Jackson told the responding officers he was on his front porch when the weapon went off. It happened when he was putting it in his holster which was hooked on his waistband.
 
"My brother called his auntie and she said he shot himself by accident he was cleaning his gun," Cope said. "So I really don't know."

Fire Capt. Jackson worked out of Engine 42 on the city's west side. The 51-year-old is recovering at Henry Ford Hospital.

It was touch and go for a moment. We're told Jackson suffered a heart attack at the hospital.

According to the fire union president's Facebook post - Jackson was in surgery that went late into the night.

Several people from Detroit police, Detroit fire and EMS were there to offer their support.

Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said Jackson is still in intensive care. Although the self-inflicted gunshot wound is under investigation - right now he says it's believed it was an accident.