ALICE, Texas – The commander of a South Texas police tactical squad is hospitalized after a tactical grenade exploded in his hand.
Alice police tactical commander Richard DeLeon was in critical but stable condition at Christus Spohn Hospital-Memorial in Corpus Christi after he was airlifted from the scene of the Tuesday afternoon accident. That's according to hospital spokeswoman Sherry Carr-Smith.
Alice Police Chief Daniel Bueno says the 25-year veteran of the police force was loading equipment into his squad car when a flash-bang grenade exploded in his hand. Bueno says DeLeon's hand was injured and his car damaged severely, but protective clothing prevented more serious injury.
The flash-bang grenade is used to startle and distract suspects when officers rush to subdue them.
Related: North Carolina Officer Killed When Flash Bang Explodes