Bailiff’s Hidden Handgun Becomes Painfully Obvious

As a pistol discharged in a crowded Municipal Courtroom in Santa Ana on Tuesday, the judge slumped behind the bench, about 20 bystanders dove for cover and the bailiff sprang into action.

“I’m all right. I’m all right,” said the bailiff, Deputy Marshal Dave Andrews.

He had shot himself in the foot.

The bullet had been fired not from Andrews’ service revolver but from a semiautomatic pistol Andrews kept as a spare in an ankle holster strapped to his right leg. The bullet entered the top of his right foot, exited cleanly at the bottom, then lodged itself in the sole of his shoe, Lt. Paul Gushard of the marshal’s office said.

Andrews, 25, a former Santa Ana police officer who has been with the marshal’s office for 6 months, was reported in satisfactory condition at a local hospital.

About 20 bystanders in Division 311 ducked while others hit the floor when the gun discharged with a loud blast in the courtroom of Municipal Judge Richard W. Stanford. No one else was injured during the incident, which occurred at about 2:45 p.m.

“The judge just kind of slouched back in his chair,” said attorney Christopher Poulis. Within moments, “about 20 marshals entered the room, many with guns drawn.”

Poulis and other witnesses said Andrews stood there after the accident with a look of surprise on his face.

Andrews was armed with a .38-caliber revolver issued by the marshal’s office, which he carries in a holster on his belt. The gun that discharged, however, was his own semiautomatic .380 Walther, Gushard said.

“This is an optional weapon and is in line with department policy,” Gushard said. “He just remembered bumping the desk as he reached for the phone and then saw a flash of gunfire.”

An internal investigation will be conducted to determine how the gun fired, Gushard said.

“It surprised (Andrews), I guarantee it. We do not know at this time the condition of the safety or degree of readiness of the weapon,” Gushard said.

“I heard a shot. I knew it was gunfire,” said Leo Parker, who was standing outside the courtroom in a corridor. “I didn’t want to know what was going on, I was looking for the (building) exit.”

After Parker discovered what occurred, he said in a relieved voice: “It was better than ‘TJ Hooker.’ ”

Times staff writer Mark Boster contributed to this story.