Chief: North Charleston officer shot himself

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a North Charleston police officer shot himself, then claimed he was hit by gunfire in a struggle with two suspects.

Investigators said Friday they couldn’t find any evidence that anyone else was around when Sgt. Eddie Bullard was shot around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt says Bullard admitted to shooting himself in the chest at the bottom of his bulletproof vest. Bullard has been suspended without pay while the incident is investigated further.

Zumalt says he doesn’t know why Bullard shot himself and made up the story, and he hopes the 15-year veteran of the force gets professional help.