Lake Co. deputy on leave after dropping gun at courthouse

A Lake County sheriff's deputy who accidentally wounded herself with her own gun last year was placed on paid leave Wednesday after dropping her gun at the courthouse, authorities said.

Deputy Karen Harris was walking across the lobby of the Waukegan courthouse when her firearm fell out of its holster, the sheriff's office said in a news release. The gun slid a few feet across the floor and lodged underneath the information desk, authorities said.

Harris quickly retrieved and secured the weapon, authorities said. No one was hurt.

Sheriff Mark Curran has ordered an internal investigation.

Harris, a 23-year police veteran, was injured in February 2009 when her gun discharged in the courthouse parking lot, striking her hand and abdomen.

Harris had been taking the .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol out of the trunk of her car at the time, authorities said last year.