Police officer who shot himself 'said he was attacked so he would look like a hero'



Prosecutors say a Los Angeles school police officer made up a story about being shot by a car burglary suspect to look like a hero.

In opening statements on Friday, prosecutors said 31-year-old Jeff Stenroos accidentally shot himself while patrolling a high school, but lied about it, saying he'd been shot while wearing a bulletproof vest.

He told officers the protective vest stopped the slug, leaving him with only a bruise, according to prosecutors.

'Hoax shooting': Los Angeles school police officer Jeff Stenroos could be sentenced to more than five years in prison if convicted

The man who may not exist: A sketch of the alleged car burglary suspect

Stenroos is facing a non-jury trial on charges of preparing a false police report, planting false evidence and other counts stemming from his January 19 report.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In court on Friday students testified they heard 'no loud sounds' at the time Stenroos says he was shot.

Up to 9,000 students were held in their schools for hours while hundreds of police officers searched for a gunman in an eight-square mile hunt in the Woodland Hills area.

There was even a sketch of the gunman, and police questioned several people in connection with the reported shooting.

The estimated cost of the manhunt was more than $400,000.

Defence attorneys declined to offer an opening statement.

Stenroos could be sentenced to more than five years in prison if convicted.

Angry boss: Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck in January talking about the alleged false police report



