FRI OCT 16, 2015 AT 08:36 PM PDT
It is better to look good with a gun than to be a good guy with a gun. GunFAIL CLXII
byDavid WaldmanFollow
Twelve of 45 guns discovered by TSA agents at airports around the country, during the week of 10/2 - 10/08/15.
I believe this is one of our most geographically diverse GunFAIL weeks, with incidents recorded in 30 different states. This week's most GunFAILing-est state: Colorado, with four accidents. Twenty-three people accidentally shot themselves, but just three accidentally shot family members. It was an unusually deadly week, though, with 13 fatalities among our list, due largely to the growing number of hunting accidents, of which there were seven, six of which were fatal.
Four people accidentally fired guns they were cleaning, and seven people accidentally fired into a neighbor's property—what we call a "home invasion shooting." Six kids were accidentally shot—a mercifully low number—aged 8 through 17. And with the Washington Posttaking note recently of the rash of shootings by toddlers, we should note that there's one on this list, too: a 3 year old who found and fired a loaded 9mm pistol through the apartment wall and into the next unit.
Among the other categories occasionally included in our roundups, the list includes one "thought my wife was an intruder" shooting, one fatal military GunFAIL, one law enforcement officer who left a gun behind in a restaurant bathroom, and yet another cop who accidentally shot a bystander, while trying to shoot a dog. (Cops seem to really love shooting dogs, but they really have a lousy record with it.) We also had another entry in one bizarre category that continues to grow: babysitters who accidentally discharge weapons. And one incident in a category we actually expect to see growing: an AR-15 accidentally discharged (during cleaning, of course) in a student apartment (and into the next one) at the University of Georgia.
In addition to the burgeoning toddler shooting count, we've also learned from recent media coverage that gun selfies can be particularly dangerous. But they can endanger more than just those who risk such pics, as with the Longmont, Colorado incident in which a man accidentally fired his gun through his bathroom mirror (I'm just guessing as to exactly how and why, I'll admit), and into the next apartment. But I'm sure the photo would have been worth it, even to the neighbor. Right?
Before releasing you to peruse the balance of the list, one particularly important cautionary note, offered by the Burlington, Wisconsin woman who was so unnerved by the local manhunt for a fugitive homicide suspect that she began carrying a gun around at home, and accidentally shot herself.
And now for the rest of the week's disasters, below the fold.
ARCANUM, OH, 10/04/15: An Arcanum man is in critical condition after Darke County deputies say he his gun discharged while he was cleaning it Sunday. It happened just after 6 at a home on Gettusburg Pitsburg Road. Deputies say 21-year-old Riley Cottrell was cleaning his gun when it accidentally discharged, hitting him in the leg. He was treated by medics on the scene but then taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. He’s now in critical condition. Deputies say the incident is still under investigation.
TULARE CO., CA, 10/04/15: A community in mourning, as a teen killed in a hunting accident is remembered. Investigators said a 16-year-old was accidentally shot by a hunter in the Sequoia National Forest on Sunday. Classmates, friends and family members of Luke Burns, held each other close reflecting on the fallen teen's life. "He was my best friend. And it really sucks. No one should have to go through this," said Luke's twin brother Levi Burns. Those closest to the teenager gathered at Exeter High School Agricultural Farm on Tuesday. It's where Luke spent years raising animals and learning skills he planned to use for his future. "Basically the people at the ag farm were his people," said Luke's best friend Colby Leonard. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Luke was hunting with family and friends early Sunday morning. He was walking in front his group, standing behind brush, when investigators said one of the hunters fired a shot and struck him. "Just know that it was an accident and we're all trying to get through that," said Luke's sister Dakota Burns. Family members said Luke took his last breath while cradled in his father's arms. "He went from his earthly father's arms, to his heavenly father's arms and that's where he's at," said a speaker at his vigil. The loss isn't easy for anyone here in the tight knit community of Exeter. But his twin brother Levi is having the hardest time. "That's who needs the help right now. He needs people to reach out to him," said Dakota Burns.
CHICAGO, IL, 10/04/15: A woman accidentally shot herself Sunday night in the Marquette Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side. The woman, thought to be in her 50s, suffered a gunshot wound to the rib area about 8:40 PM in the 7300 block of South Kedzie, according to preliminary information from Chicago Police. Additional details were not immediately available, but police said the shooting was self-inflicted.
UNION CITY, GA, 10/05/15: Police have charged a 17-year-old man in the shooting death of a 15-year-old friend in Union City. The victim has been identified as Benson West, of College Park. The shooting happened Monday afternoon at the Landings at Oak Hill apartment complex, police said. Union City Police said West was hanging out with a group of friends when a gun Perry had in his possession went off. A bullet struck the West in the chest. Ja'Quan Perry has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during a crime, and reckless conduct. He's being held at Fulton County Jail. The incident was the second fatal shooting involving a teenager in the last several days. Amera Cameron, 15, was shot to death on Saturday night as she stood outside an apartment complex. No arrests have been made in that case.
ATHENS, GA, 10/05/15: Athens-Clarke County police Monday afternoon investigated what they said was the accidental discharge of a semiautomatic assault-type rifle inside an apartment in the 200 block of Sussex Drive. A 22-year-old Evans man said he was cleaning an AR-15 when he accidentally fired a bullet into the wall, according to police. He called 911 after he went to the adjacent apartment and no one answered the door, making him concerned someone may have been injured by the gunshot. Police determined no one was home at the time and no one was injured by the bullet, which passed through the wall. Police said they separately questioned the man and the woman in whose apartment he was cleaning the gun — identified as a 21-year-old University of Georgia student — to make sure the weapon was been discharged during a domestic dispute. Police said they concluded the incident was “a case of negligence and there appears to be no reckless intention” on the Evans man’s part.
BROOKINGS, SD, 10/05/15: A 22-year-old man was taken to the hospital after accidentally shooting himself while loading a shotgun. It happened early Monday morning around 5:30 AM on the 3500 hundred block of Medary Avenue North. Police say Lukas Beck accidentally discharged the weapon and shot himself in the chest. Beck was taken by helicopter to Avera in Sioux Falls and is in intensive care.
MAUNALOA, HI, 10/05/15: A 24-year-old Molokaʻi man has since died after reports that he accidentally shot himself with a gun on Monday afternoon, police said. Police have since identified the man as Marianito Alavazo, Jr. of Maunaloa, Molokaʻi. Police say they received a 9-1-1 call at around 3:57 PM on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 reporting the incident on Kulawai Loop in Kaluakoi on the west end of the island. According to a report filed by Maui Police Captain Ricky Uedoi with the Molokaʻi Patrol District, Alavazo was in the company of two friends, also described as Molokaʻi residents, during the incident. Police say Alavazo was treated by personnel from the Maui Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services before being transported to the Molokaʻi Airport and flown to the Maui Memorial Medical Center where he later died on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2015. Capt. Uedoi said Molokaʻi Police recovered the gun from the incident. The type was not immediately available. When asked to whom the firearm was registered to, and if anyone at the scene had a permit to carry, police said those items remain under investigation. Police expect that there will be related cases generated as a result of the investigation. Police say that at this time, the incident remains under investigation and has been classified as a miscellaneous accident.
COOKEVILLE, TN, 10/05/15: A Cookeville man was charged with reckless endangerment after a reported accidental shooting last night that injured himself and a woman at the scene. She was transported by helicopter ambulance to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga following the incident, and as of this morning, authorities had no word on her condition. Michael David Bray, 45, of Sunflower Lane, also reportedly pointed the weapon at another man who was at his home at the time, authorities discovered upon investigation, and it is that action for which he is currently charged. “The shooting happened shortly before 8 PM, and when officers were dispatched to the scene, we weren’t certain whether the gunshot was accidental or not,” said Capt. Carl Sells, an investigator at the Cookeville Police Department. Det. Sgt. Brent Anderson arrived at the scene shortly after patrol officers and began his investigation. At this point, authorities say, it does appear that the shooting was accidental, but that particular aspect of the investigation is ongoing. “Patrol officers had dealt with Mr. Bray earlier in the evening on an unrelated issue,” Capt. Sells said. No charges resulted from that prior incident, but authorities reported that Bray was “in an excited state” just prior to and following the shooting. In the incident, Bray reportedly accidentally shot his thumb, and the bullet continued to travel, hitting and injuring a woman at the scene as well. She was wounded in the torso by the gunshot. “The subject then pointed the weapon at a [male] visitor ... who had called 911 and was attempting to secure the weapon on the floor,” according to Sgt. Anderson. “The subject then engaged in conduct with the weapon that placed others in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death,” he continued. Because the investigation is ongoing, Capt. Sells said, it is possible that additional charges connected to the incident may be forthcoming. After being treated for his injury at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Bray was transported to the Putnam County Jail. As of this morning, he is still being held there on a $10,000 bond. According to Bray’s arrest warrant, his initial appearance in Putnam County General Sessions Court is scheduled for Oct. 26.
NORMAN, OK, 10/06/15: A husband and wife were injured in an accidental shooting when the man’s gun went off Tuesday night. At about 7:45 PM, a gun the man was holding fired. The bullet went through his hand and into his wife’s abdomen. Both were taken to the hospital. The woman is expected to recover. The man has been released. Police confirmed they believe the incident was accidental.
CARNEGIE, OK, 10/06/15: A Carnegie family is counting their blessings Tuesday, after a bullet cut through their sense of security. Peggy Davis thought a mouse was to blame for the wood chips in her kitchen. But further inspection revealed it wasn't a furry rodent but a fired round. The gunshot came from across the street. The Davis' home has 12 inch thick concrete walls, but the bullet hit the wooden frame of the window. It went through an interior wall and through a spice rack in the kitchen before embedding into a back cabinet. “If we’d been in the kitchen or living room when the bullet went through, it could have hit anyone of us,” said Tom Davis. “It’s freaky,” added Peggy Davis. Fortunately, the Davis family was asleep at 3 AM, when the bullet was fired. Police said the intoxicated and naked person, who aimlessly fired the shot next door, has been arrested. Monday, the couple had to evacuate their home because of a police situation at the same home where the gunshot was fired from hours later.
TOLEDO, OH, 10/06/15: A 17-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the hand in central Toledo late Tuesday, authorities said. The name and condition of the victim were not released. The incident occurred about 10:45 PM in the 1200 block of Buckingham Street, according to Toledo police.
FORT CAMPBELL, KY, 10/06/15: A Fort Campbell soldier has been shot and killed during a training exercise. Post spokesman Bob Jenkins says the soldier died at approximately 10:20 AM Tuesday at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. The shooting happened on the sprawling base on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. No one else was injured. Lt. Col. Brian DeSantis, public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division, said initial indications are that the shooting was accidental. Jenkins said the post is withholding the soldier's name until the family has been notified. The incident is still under investigation.MORE: New Jersey will honor a soldier from Paterson who died in a training accident. Gov. Chris Christie has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on state government buildings on Wednesday in memory of Army. Spc. Kevin Rodriguez. The Record (http://bit.ly/... ) newspaper reports the 22-year-old was accidentally shot earlier this month while training at Fort Campbell.
LOPEZ ISLAND, WA, 10/06/15: A Lopez Island deputy responded to a gunshot injury complaint. It was determined that the involved person unintentionally shot himself in the foot. He was evaluated by Lopez Island Emergency Medical Services personnel at the scene and subsequently flown to a mainland hospital for medical treatment.
UMATILLA CO., OR, 10/07/15: An Oregon man is dead after police say his father accidentally shot him, mistaking him for a deer Wednesday when the two were out hunting, according to the Umatilla County Sheriff's deputies. Police say Louis Branze, 76, of Seaside, Oregon accidentally shot his son David Branze, 47, of Gresham, Oregon when he was attempting to shoot at a deer. Umatilla County Sheriff's deputies say they responded to the scene near the Summit Ranger Station cabin and came across the body of David. Police say the area around the site was very steep and rugged, and it took several hours to complete the recovery of the body. Sheriff's deputies say an autopsy will be performed next week and they are continuing to investigate the incident.
PERU, IN, 10/07/15: State police say a woman was nearly hit by a stray bullet inside her home after a 3-year-old accidentally discharged a handgun in a neighboring apartment. Police and Miami County deputies were dispatched to the 36000 block of Beale Court at around 9:30 AM after a woman called 911 to report someone had shot a bullet through the wall of her residence. She told police she was standing on an upstairs landing when she heard a bang and drywall came flying towards her. Police said after an investigation, they determined a 3-year-old in the neighboring apartment accidentally discharged a 9 mm handgun that had been left out on the nightstand in the bedroom. The child’s 24-year-old mother told officers the gun belonged to her fiancé, who usually kept it in a drawer with the chamber cleared, police said. She said her fiancé was in a hurry Wednesday morning and left the gun on the nightstand. The mother told police when she heard the gun go off, she went to the bedroom, where she found her child in the doorway and the gun lying on the floor. She told officers she believed the gun accidentally discharged on its own, and was not discharged by the 3-year-old. Police said they believe the gun was fired by the child after investing the trajectory of the bullet. The Miami County Department of Child Services was called to the scene to investigate the incident. The case had been given to the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office for review, according to police.
ANTIOCH, CA, 10/07/15: A 13-year-old girl accidentally shot herself in the hand with a revolver she found in a middle school bathroom last week, officials said. Officers responded to a report of a girl with a gunshot wound at 7:32 PM on Oct. 7 to Sutter Delta Memorial, according to the Antioch city manager's report. The 13-year-old told police that she found a revolver in a bathroom at an undisclosed middle school earlier in the day, according to the report. The student placed the firearm in her backpack and kept it there throughout the day. The girl accidentally shot herself in the hand when she was preparing to show her grandmother the firearm in her Antioch home. Police recovered the revolver at the home. The girl's condition was unknown. The 13-year-old girl had a lengthy list of police contacts and arrests, according to the report. The middle school student also had a pending juvenile case. The middle schooler was arrested for weapons-related charges and booked at juvenile hall. Police were investigating the ownership of the revolver and how the girl obtained the firearm. Antioch police weren't immediately reachable for comment.
PHOENIX, AZ, 10/08/15: A Phoenix police officer trying to put down a dog that was attacking people accidentally injured a man standing nearby early Thursday morning. A police spokesman said the dog had been pacing outside a convenience store at 19th and Southern avenues, going after customers entering the store. An officer inside the store went outside to check on the situation and the dog went after him, biting him on the arm. The officer managed to shoot the dog, but he also wounded the unidentified man. The bystander was hit in the leg and taken to a hospital. Animal control came for the dog, which later died.
GRANITEVILLE, SC, 10/08/15: The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call Thursday about a self-inflicted gunshot wound to an 80-year-old Graniteville man on Old Graniteville Highway. The man accidentally shot himself, according to Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. EMS transported the man to a nearby hospital, and he is still alive, Abdullah said. His name has not yet been released.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 10/08/15: A 20-year-old man was "accidentally" shot Thursday night by a friend who was cleaning his gun in an east Colorado Springs neighborhood, police said. The incident happened just after 10:30 PM on the block of Gunnison Street, police said. Police said the victim was treated for a non-life threatening injury at a hospital. The friend left before police arrived at the scene, police said. No further details about the incident were released.
PAXTON, IL, 10/08/15: A Paxton man is expected to survive two self-inflicted gunshots that occurred during a 15-hour standoff in Paxton. The man, Timothy G. Donley, 51, was taken to Carle Hospital Friday morning after a SWAT team entered the house and found the injured man in the living room. Paxton Police Chief Robert G. Bane said Donley is expected to survive wounds to the back of his head and to his foot. The incident started just before 5 PM Thursday when police were called to a verbal argument at 1094 Eastview. A woman ran from the house and reported a gunshot; police said; officers reported hearing three shots fired within the house. Donley then called the sheriff's department and reported accidentally shooting himself in the foot, the chief said. Paxton and Gibson City police were assisted by a state police SWAT team during the incident, in which Donley fired about 10 shots within the house.
SALINA, KS, 10/08/15: Salina police believe a 24-year-old man might have accidentally shot himself in the leg Thursday evening shortly after he was pulled over during a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Fifth Street. Sgt. James Feldman said Shane D. McMillin, of Salina, was pulled over about 5:30 PM by an officer who recognized his vehicle and knew he was wanted on a warrant for a probation violation. Feldman said when McMillin got out of his car, there was a fresh gunshot wound in his left thigh. He said a handgun was found in the vehicle, and a person living in the area reported hearing a gunshot. He would not say what type of handgun. Feldman said when police searched the car, they also found personal-use amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine and psychedelic mushrooms. McMillin was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment before he was arrested on drug charges, criminal discharge of a firearm within city limits, criminal possession of a firearm and probation violation.
AUGUSTA, ME, 10/08/15: Steve Quinn’s family, still reeling from his sudden death Thursday, has started a fund to help with burial expenses and to help his family. Quinn, 43, was found dead in his home on Mount Vernon Avenue at 5 AM Thursday, and an autopsy was conducted at the State Medical Examiners’ Office on Friday. Maine State Police responded to the residence as well. Police initially described the death as unexplained, but not suspicious. Jared Mills, deputy chief of the Augusta Police Department, said in a press release issued Friday that the investigation is ongoing, but it indicates there is no danger to the public. Authorities have not yet identified Quinn as the man who died, but the family has identified him to the Kennebec Journal. “The autopsy was completed earlier this morning; however, the cause of death is still pending the toxicology reports,” Mills said in the release. Bryan Colby, who identified himself as a nephew of Quinn’s, sent an email to the Kennebec Journal saying the family believes Quinn accidentally shot himself in the stomach while either cleaning the gun or clearing the gun off a table and was unaware it was loaded. “The clip was locked up, and the only reason he had the gun out was that he lived in a bad neighborhood and wanted to protect his family,” Colby wrote. The family has started a crowd-funding campaign at www.gofundme.com/stevequinn with a goal of raising $12,000. It says Quinn was born in West Farmington and that he and life partner Mary Morton — who have been together for 29 years — have three sons. “The untimely death, however, left the family in financial distress as Steve was without life insurance, and all assets were in his name alone,” the page states.
GREAT FALLS, MT, 10/08/15: The man involved in Thursday night's accidental shooting has been identified as David Allen Nelson. Officers with the Great Falls Police Department were called to the incident at 4:36 PM on Thursday in the 400 block of 13th Street South. Police said the 42-year-old accidentally shot himself in the upper forearm and he was taken to Benefis for treatment. A woman was with him and she called the police and was later transported to the station for an interview. Police said Nelson was a violent offender and was prohibited from possessing firearms and so charges may be filed.
GALVESTON, TX, 10/08/15: At approximately 8:58 PM Thursday night, October 8, 2015, Officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of Ave. J in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred at El Gusto Mexican Restaurant. Moments later, officers received additional calls that a male black was shot and lying in front yard of a residence in the 3700 block of Ave. I. Upon arrival, officers located the male along with the semi-auto handgun that he was shot in the leg with. During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the 21 year old male that was shot, was in fact the same individual that was involved in the robbery at El Gusto and was identified as such through video surveillance footage. At this time, it appears that the suspect shot himself during his evasion from the crime scene. He is identified as Leo Glenn Cleveland and is in custody at John Sealy Emergency Room while he is being treated for his gunshot wound. Leo Cleveland is formally charged with Aggravated Robbery with a bond set at $40,000. Fortunately, no one was injured during the commission of the robbery.
PLAINS TOWNSHIP, PA, 10/08/15: Police have arrested a man who admits he shot a woman in the face in Luzerne County, claiming it was an accident. The victim even told police she believes she was shot in the face by accident. The shooting seems to stem from a night of drinking and playing around with a gun. Accident or not, the shooter was charged and arraigned Friday. That shooter is 29-year-old Robert William France. He has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor. That includes aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and having a firearm without a permit to carry the gun. Police say France and a group of friends were out drinking at a bar in Plains Township. After some time at the bar, the group drove to a nearby Turkey Hill to pump gas. The victim told police France was playing with the gun that he owned and next thing she knew she heard a gunshot and was bleeding from her face. "It has a case on it so I don't even know how it happened," France told Newswatch 16. "Can you believe that you are here right now?" "No, I can't because I don't get into these types of problems at all." Police say France did take the victim to the hospital, but afterwards tried to get rid of the gun. The gun was registered to France, but he did not have a permit to carry. He is now in the Luzerne County Jail with bail set at $50,000. "I just hope that she's alright and that everything just works out for the best for her and for me too," France said. The hospital has not released the victim's condition. France has a preliminary hearing set for October 20.
ERIE, PA, 10/09/15: Two men are facing charges after gunfire inside an Erie apartment narrowly misses a sleeping toddler. 28-year-old Timothy Williams faces weapons charges along with receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment. He and another 28-year-old, Raymoan Powe are both also facing drug charges after crack cocaine and marijuana were found at the scene. Two gunshots were fired from an upstairs apartment in the 700-block of Liberty Street into a first floor apartment around 1:20 AM Friday morning. That, according to police who also say one of the rounds entered a living room. The other landed in a two-year old's bedroom. Maureen Buckley, who lives in the downstairs apartment that was hit by gunfire says, "[I'm] just upset, very upset about it." When asked how close the bullet was to hitting her boyfriend's two-year old son in his crib, she said it was less than a foot from the baby's bed. Shortly after the shooting, police took two men and a woman into custody, and they say a fourth person fled the scene before they arrived. Erie Police Chief Randy Bowers says, "Officers recovered a magazine from one of the individuals that came out of the apartment, and subsequent to that, they recovered the firearm upstairs also." Before getting away, the fourth person involved was confronted by Buckley's boyfriend after thinking they heard glass breaking from an intruder. "We checked the house and we didn't see no broken glass, so we came out on the porch to look and seen somebody running from the driveway up towards 8th Street. He caught up to them, and they both walked around the house, make sure there's no broken glass and the guy left," said Buckley. Buckley and her boyfriend did not realize at the time that person may have been upstairs, and the sound they heard was gunfire. "We went back in the house and turned on some lights, seeing that there was a bullet hole coming down through the babies room, " she said. No injuries were reported in the incident. Both Williams and Powe were charged just before 5 PM Friday while in EPD custody.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 10/09/15: West Palm Beach police have determined a person was accidentally shot Friday morning after the victim showed up at a hospital emergency room. The victim originally claimed the shooting happened at a Texaco gas station. Police now say the gunfire happened inside a hotel room at La Quinta at 1910 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Investigators say two adults were handling a weapon when one was hit in the arm. The injury did not appear to be life threatening. Police are continuing their investigation.
NEW ORLEANS, LA, 10/09/15: A young man who was walking with two people – including one woman who was pushing a child in a stroller -- shot himself in the foot Friday afternoon (Oct. 9) along a busy stretch of Elk Place, according to an eyewitness account. New Orleans police said detectives are investigating the shooting. The man showed up in the emergency room at Tulane University Hospital, police said, and the handgun was found in a garbage can at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and South Saratoga Street. Lutricia Noel, a manager of the Walgreens at Elk and Tulane Avenue, said she was walking to work around 2 PM when she saw three young people – two men and a woman with a child – heading toward her. They were almost directly in front of her, she said, when she heard a loud pop. Noel said she saw the gun fall to the ground. The clip ended up beneath a parked car, she said. The other two people became enraged, Noel said, and yelled at the wounded man. "She had every right to be mad," Noel said of the woman with the child. "But when you hang out with the wrong crowd . . ." The wounded man was clearly hobbling as he and the other two scattered from the area. Later, while Noel called 911, she said she saw someone come back and grab the gun. A New Orleans police officer was seen retrieving the gun from the trash can and placing it in a brown evidence bag.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, 10/09/15: Police say a man shot himself while trying to commit a crime. It happened just after 5:15 Friday morning in the 100 block of Aberdeen Avenue near Ocean Drive. Officers got a call from a man saying he had been shot. When cops showed up they knew something wasn't right. Police said the man was trying to steal a bicycle, used a gun to shoot off the lock, but instead shot himself in the leg. Officers found the weapon at the scene. The man was taken to the hospital. He's expected to be okay.
BURLINGTON, WI, 10/09/15: A 78-year-old Burlington woman accidentally shot herself Friday after arming herself with a handgun when she became afraid, according to the Racine County Sheriff's Office. The woman was walking in her house with the gun when she dropped it to the floor, causing it to discharge upward and wounding her in the abdomen, according to news release from the sheriff's office. The woman was taken to a hospital, according to the release, which did not report the woman's condition. The sheriff's office reminds people be extra cautious when handling any firearm. MORE: A woman in the Burlington area was so nervous about the search for [homicide suspect Andrew] Obregon, she accidentally shot herself. In that case, she was drinking and drugs were found in the house. She's expected to make a full recovery.
SANDOVAL, IL, 10/09/15: A 75-year-old rural Sandoval man was injured in an accidental shooting at his home Friday morning. Marion County Sheriff's officials say Alva King of Bethel Road was looking at one of his pistols when the hammer got away from him and a shot fired that went through his finger and into his leg. King was initially taken to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia and was later transferred to St. Louis. King's wife was outside the home when she heard a gunshot and found her husband had accidentally fired the gun. She then called for emergency help.
LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, 10/09/15: Lake Havasu City, Ariz., police cited alcohol as a factor in an apparent accidental shooting resulting in the death of one man and the arrest of his friend Friday. Lt. Joe Harrold said officers responded just before 9 PM to a report of a shooting at a home in the 3200 block of Arapaho Drive. Harrold said Kristopher Setser, 26, was lying on a bedroom floor with a gunshot wound to his chest. Setser died following transport to Havasu Regional Medical Center. Setser's friend Eric Huffman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. "Detectives learned that Huffman was handling a pistol when it fired, resulting in Setser being struck in the chest," Harrold said. Huffman made an initial court appearance before he was booked into the Mohave County Jail.
HARRISON, AR, 10/09/15: 2:42 PM — A man called to report a gun accidentally discharged at a residence on East South Avenue and hit an individual in the leg. An officer filed a formal report.
ATWOOD, TN, 10/09/15: A 22-year-old Atwood man died Friday after he accidentally shot himself while playing with a handgun, the Carroll County Sheriff's Department told The McKenzie Banner. The McKenzie newspaper reported that according to David Bunn of the Sheriff's Department, Colton Tilley, 22, of 1830 E. Main St., and four other young men were in a garage early Friday morning when Tilley was fatally shot. The garage is behind Tilley's mother's house, Bunn said. Tilley had "dry fired" the 9 mm handgun several times as the loaded magazine hung loose from the weapon, the Sheriff's Department said. He aimed it at the wall and his knee and the weapon did not fire. He then pointed it at his head and the weapon fired, the Sheriff's Department said. The four other young men who witnessed the accident rushed to wake Tilley's mother, who started CPR before an ambulance arrived. Bunn warned that all weapons should be treated as if they are loaded and to never play with guns. The funeral service is scheduled for 2 PM today at Bodkin Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Pisgah Cemetery in Atwood. Visitation is from 11 AM to 2 PM at the funeral home.
BUNKER HILL, IN, 10/09/15 [NEW]: A Bunker Hill man remains hospitalized after trying to break up a dog fight and accidentally discharging a firearm into his abdomen. Miami County Sheriff Tim Miller reported Jim Jenkins, a retired Maconaquah school teacher, was at his residence in the 1900 block of East 850 South around 9:37 PM Friday when he was attempting to break up a dog fight and was inadvertantly shot. “According to Deputy Jon Jumper, who responded to the call, Mr. Jenkins was attempting to break up a dog fight,” Sheriff Miller said. “He (Jenkins) had fired a couple warning shots in the air, but the dogs didn’t stop. He then attempted to strike one of the dogs with the butt of the rifle and it accidentally discharged into his abdomen.” Sheriff Miller reported a call was made to the Miami County Central Dispatch Center at 9:37 PM and family members placed Mr. Jenkins in a vehicle and drove Mr. Jenkins to US 31 where they met up with Miami County EMS. Mr. Jenkins was then transported to Dukes and then flown to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne where he underwent surgery and remains hospitalized today. According to Sheriff Miller, there is no criminal investigation. "This was simply an accident," Sheriff Miller said. Responding to the call were the Miami County Sheriff’s Department and Miami County EMS.
BRIGHTON, CO, 10/09/15: A woman was struck in the face by a bullet at Harmony Gardens tree farm in Adams County Friday morning, witnesses said. Adams County Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Morgan said it may have been a stray bullet that was fired from somewhere outside the property. Co-workers said the victim was an employee at Harmony Gardens, which is located in a rural area near East 152 Avenue and Gun Club Road. The woman was transported to Denver Health Medical Center in stable condition, Morgan said. Deputies are searching the area, but have not found evidence of where the shot was fired.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 10/10/15: A Colorado Springs man suffered life-threatening injuries after accidentally shooting himself. Officers were called to the 4400 block of E. San Miguel St. just after midnight Saturday. Police didn't provide many details about the incident, only stating that "the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted while improperly handling the firearm." The victim has only been identified as a 31-year-old man. This is the second shooting accident in as many days; a 20-year-old man was injured Thursday after his friend's gun discharged. Police said the friend was cleaning his gun at the time.
LONGMONT, CO, 10/10/15: Longmont police on Saturday arrested a man on suspicion of illegally discharging a firearm after he accidentally shot his bathroom mirror at his residence in the 2200 block of Pratt Street. The bullet entered an adjacent, occupied apartment.
SEBASTIAN CO., AR, 10/10/15: A man has been shot and killed while hunting. The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office says it happened south of Greenwood on Saturday morning. Deputies say a 911 call came in from someone reporting that a man he was hunting with had been shot. The name of the victim has not yet been released.
SAN ANTONIO, TX, 10/10/15: San Antonio police were called to the North Side Saturday morning after a man claims he accidentally shot his wife in the chest. According to police, the man said he was asleep when he heard noises coming from downstairs. He grabbed his shotgun and went downstairs to a hallway when he said he heard voices. As the man turned the corner, he fired a single shot at the person he thought was an intruder. Police said the person was his wife and she died at the scene. As of 8:30 AM, officials were processing the scene in the 3500 block of Bent Hollow. Authorities say they are gathering information and interviewing neighbors. "We have a crime scene investigators and homicide unit here trying to put the puzzle pieces together, and determine exactly what happened,” said Officer Doug Greene with SAPD. “The male has been transported to the homicide unit and he's being interviewed at this time." The man has not been charged with a crime at this time.
WHITMAN CO., WA, 10/10/15: A hunting accident killed one outside Colfax Saturday morning. Authorities said they received a call around 7:50 AM that a member of a hunting party had been accidentally shot. Deputies from the Whitman County Sheriff's Office and local emergency crews tried to respond to the scene. The accident happened in a remote location four miles east of Colfax. First responders said they had trouble locating the victim and hunting crew. Whitman dispatchers said they told other members of the hunting party to perform CPR on the injured victim until responders could find them. Shortly after crews arrived the victim was pronounced dead. Investigators from the Whitman County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will be investigating the fatality. MORE: The man killed in a hunting accident outside of Colfax Saturday morning has been identified as 31-year-old Nicholas Nava-Farias of Kennewick. Officials believe Nava-Farias was hit by a single round from a muzzleloader rifle accidentally fired by a member of the group.
CACHE CO., UT, 10/10/15: A 10-year-old Cache Valley boy was shot and killed Saturday night, while hunting with family, southeast of Red Spur. Cache County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Matt Bilodeau said the boy was reportedly sitting on the floorboard of a four-wheeler trying to stay warm, while hunting with family in the area. Another member of the group pulled up next to him, got off of his four-wheeler and was removing a rifle when it went off and struck the boy. Search and Rescue crews, sheriff's deputies, paramedics and life flight were called to the scene after the boy's family called 911. Bilodeau said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released pending notification of family and friends. Investigators believe the shooting was accidental and no charges are pending. Bilodeau said, “As you can imagine the family is devastated. During an outing meant to create memories, enjoy nature, and bring family and friends closer, to have something like this happen is just unimaginable. Please pray for their family.” MORE: Cache County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Matt Bilodeau said Zachary Woodruff of Smithfield was reportedly with family southeast of Red Spur Saturday night. Another man who knew the family, pulled up next to the boy on a four-wheeler and was removing a rifle when it fired, striking and killing Woodruff.
HENDERSON, MD, 10/10/15: A 14-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his hunting guide during an excursion Saturday in Queen Anne's County, police believe. Marvin Bowen Coppage, 75, was leading a pheasant and chukar hunt for Schrader's Outdoors Ltd. off Ell Downes Road in Henderson. As he and his dog were flushing a bird from the brush, Coppage was struck by a shotgun blast. At approximately 4:45 PM, Coppage was pronounced dead at the scene by Queen Anne's County first responders. The 14-year-old boy in the hunting party is believed to be the shooter. Coppage's body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy, according to police. Maryland Natural Resources Police are continuing to gather evidence related to this inci