Not a toy gun: Rookie cop plays with his gun, accidentally kills inmate in Aurora

This rookie cop could either be sleeping or simply did not take his gun safety lessons seriously. Or maybe, just maybe, he has been watching too much cowboy movies.

Patrolman Christian Torres is now on the brink of being kicked out of the police service after he allegedly killed an inmate when he accidentally pulled the trigger of his service firearm which he was then toying with inside the San Luis Municipal Police Station in Aurora Province on Saturday night.

Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, director of the Police Regional Office 3, said he had already ordered the disarming of the 27-year old Torres pending the result of the investigation.

"He was immediately placed under restrictive custody as a result of that accidental firing," said de Leon.

This was how it happened, according to de Leon.

On Saturday night, Torres was on duty and was standing in front of the detention cell when he decided to draw his gun and started playing with it.

While toying with his service firearm, the gun accidentally went off and hit 30-year old Christian Gabral who was then watching a television behind bars.

De Leon said Gabral was hit on the chest.

"He was immediately taken to the hospital but he was declared dead there," said de Leon.

De Leon then warned his men, particularly rookie policemen, to strictly and properly observe the gun safety trainings that they underwent during their training, saying guns should not be played with especially if it is loaded.

In several cases in the past, there were reports of policemen accidentally hitting themselves, their family members and even fellow cops while cleaning, practicing or playing with their handguns. "If found guilty, he will be meted with both administrative and criminal charges. We do not condone any irregularities from our personnel," said de Leon.

The official said Torres tested negative during drug test but yielded positive result during the paraffin test.