Police Captain Took Three Live Rounds After Shooting Exercise; No Additional Ammunition Found in Home Search

[Financial News] The Jeonbuk Police Agency launched a compulsory investigation into a police captain who took three live rounds after a shooting exercise, but found no additional live ammunition or cartridge cases.
According to the Jeonbuk Police Agency on the 9th, police recently searched the home and other locations of Captain A, who is suspected of violating the Act on the Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, etc., and theft.
Police said they found no additional live ammunition or cartridge cases during the search. They also checked the number of live rounds held and the firearms inventory at Captain A’s workplace, but found nothing unusual. Police are now focusing on determining his motive by examining his mobile phone and other evidence.
Captain A told Yonhap News Agency that he recently realized he had been keeping three cartridge cases he had picked up after training at an outdoor shooting range more than 30 years ago. He explained that he took the live rounds while considering how to dispose of the cartridge cases.
However, police believe Captain A’s explanation alone does not sufficiently clarify the circumstances of the alleged offense. They are investigating whether he had another motive and how he obtained the three cartridge cases in his possession.
Earlier, Captain A was questioned by police on suspicion of taking three .38-caliber handgun rounds at around 9:30 a.m. on the 5th, after a regular shooting exercise. The allegations involve violations of the Act on the Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, etc., and theft.
Investigators found that Captain A fired 32 of the 35 rounds issued for the exercise, took the remaining three rounds, and returned three cartridge cases that he already had instead.
Captain A has been relieved of his duties and is currently under police investigation.
A police official said, "We are investigating with all possibilities open, but so far we have found no circumstances suggesting that the rounds were intended for use in a crime." The official added, "We will continue the related investigation."
[email protected] Ahn Ga-eul Reporter