Peter Tidot: South Carolina police officer faces suspension after his son, 4, shoots himself with loaded duty weapon
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: A 4-year-old boy shot himself with his father's service weapon while visiting relatives in North Miami Beach, Florida, leading to the suspension of a recently hired South Carolina police officer.
When Peter Tidot, 29, arrived at his parents' house on Wednesday, April 3, he told the police that his son had his Sig Sauer.45 in his waistband and a round in the chamber.
Peter Tidot accused of one count each of culpable negligence
The police said that the 4-year-old shot himself in the head after reaching for the easily accessible, unlocked loaded gun.
The officer's brother, Ronel Tidot, told the station that the boy is expected to survive and is "doing good" at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Ronel Tidot added that his brother and his nephew got along well, Crime Online reported.
After the incident, Peter Tidot, who was employed by the Columbia Police Department a year prior, dialed 911 and remained at the scene until law enforcement arrived.
Peter Tidot was taken to the North Miami Beach police station, according to the police, where he chose to speak with detectives and gave up his Miranda rights.
Police confirmed that Tidot acknowledged calling the police and waiting for them to show up outside the house, even though the remainder of his confession was redacted in the report.
Police said that after conducting additional investigation, Peter Tidot left his loaded, unsecured firearm within his son's reach. When the son grabbed the gun, he unintentionally shot himself in the right side of the head.
Investigators referred to Peter Tidot's actions as "culpable negligence" because they claimed he neglected to shield his son, which caused serious injuries.
According to jail records, Peter Tidot is accused of one count each of culpable negligence for leaving a firearm within easy reach of a minor and child neglect with great bodily harm.
At the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he was being held, he posted a $3,000 bond on Thursday, April 4 night. When Peter showed up for bond court on Thursday afternoon, the judge first gave him the order to keep the victim at a distance.
The State Attorney's Office changed the order to only permit supervised contact, though. He was also forbidden from owning a weapon, firearm, or illegal substance.
Columbia police placed Peter Tidot on 'investigatory suspension'
Tidot was "placed on investigatory suspension," according to a statement released by Columbia Police, who had been informed of his arrest. He will continue to be suspended until the criminal case is resolved and the department completes an internal investigation.
The Columbia Police Department released a statement to Local 10 News on Friday, April 5. The statement reads, “A Columbia Police Department (CPD) officer has been placed on investigatory suspension after being arrested by the North Miami Beach Police Department this week."
The statement further states, "CPD was notified by the arresting agency of charges stemming from allegations of negligence after an incident involving his 4-year-old son and an improperly secured and loaded duty weapon assigned to Peter Tidot."
"Per protocol, Tidot who has been with CPD since April 2023 will remain on investigatory suspension until the disposition of criminal charges in Florida and administrative investigation by CPD’s Internal Affairs Unit under the Office of Professional Standards," it concluded.
Columbia Police Chief WH ‘Skip’ Holbrook stated in the official statement, “We are praying for the speedy recovery of the child and everyone impacted by the incredibly unfortunate incident. Let this serve as a reminder about the importance of gun safety and proper gun storage. CPD will continue to work with the North Miami Beach Police Department regarding the case."
Tidot has been employed by the CPD since April 2023, according to officials who spoke with Local 10 News.
