El Cajon Police Officer Escapes Injury as Belt Deflects Bullet

A police officer was struck by a bullet while standing on a second-floor patio at the police station, El Cajon police reported Tuesday.

Officer Philip Schlegel, 40, an eight-year veteran, had been working out in the department gymnasium when he stepped outside at 9 p.m. Monday to take a break, Lt. Bob Lein said.

Schlegel was struck in the waist but escaped injury when the thick, rubber exercise belt he was wearing deflected the bullet, Lein said.

“He said he felt a stinging sensation and then felt the bullet fall down his shorts to the floor,” Lein said.

Lein said it had not been determined whether Schlegel was shot intentionally or was hit by a stray bullet.

In a similar incident less than a year ago, someone fired a pellet from a high-powered air rifle through the lunchroom window near the gym, Lein said.