Richmond police officers hurt at firing range

Two Richmond police officers were hit by shrapnel yesterday during target practice at the department's outdoor firing range in Caroline County, but the injuries were not serious, authorities said.

The officers were treated for "very minor injuries," according to Sgt. Ron Brown, a department spokesman.

Brown said the officers were struck by a bullet fragment when a round ricocheted from a pole and struck them during close-proximity shooting drills.

The department is reviewing the sequence of events that led to the accident.

The Richmond Police Department maintains two shooting ranges: an indoor facility at its training academy on West Graham Road in North Richmond and the outdoor range in Caroline.

While the indoor range is generally used for small-arms practice, the outdoor range can accommodate many of the department's tactical training exercises and larger arms training.

-- Joe Macenka