Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Man unintentionally shoots and kills childhood friend

22-year-old Ardese Day of Columbus, Georgia has been released on bond, charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct in the death of his childhood friend, 28-year-old George McGhee. Ardese and George got together to watch an NBA playoff game. Ardese was carrying a .38-caliber revolver in a holster. He has a concealed weapons permit for the gun. As he was seated on a couch, the gun was pressing against his hip so he took the holster off. Both Ardese and George handled the loaded weapon. As Ardese was handing the gun to George he unintentionally discharged the weapon, striking George in the chest. George died of his injury.
Ardese's attorney asked the judge to reduce the charges stating, "There is no reckless conduct. The gun wasn't purposefully pointed at the decedent. We would argue it's a misdemeanor at best."
But a friend of George's disagrees. She questioned why Ardese even had a loaded gun on him when he was just going to meet friends and added, "When you purchase a gun, you purchase that responsibility."

Monday, May 30, 2011

Woman unintentionally shoots and kills boyfriend while trying to break up a dog fight

49-year-old Carolyn Walker and her longtime boyfriend, 57-year-old Roosevelt Griffin were trying to break up a dog fight in their Indianapolis, Indiana neighborhood. Their neighbor's dog was being attacked by a stray pit bull and she was crying for help. Roosevelt went to respond. Before he left his home he told Carolyn to grab his handgun. Carolyn took the gun and followed Roosevelt across the street but as she was heading up some stairs she tripped and unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet hit Roosevelt in the face. He was taken to Wishard Hospital where he died of his injury.
Police said their investigation shows the shooting was an accident and no charges are anticipated.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Man who unintentionally discharged gun in motel room arrested for plot to kill abortion doctor

63-year-old Ralph Lang of Marshfield, Wisconsin drove from his home to Madison planning to "lay out abortionists because they are killing babies." Lang was in a room at the Motel 6, loading his handgun when he unintentionally discharged the gun. According to the Madison police report "the round hit two doors, but there were no injuries. The man immediately told motel staff about the gunfire, saying it was an accident. He offered to pay for damages."
When police came to investigate, Lang told officers he was going to go to Planned Parenthood when it opened the next morning, find out who the doctor was who performed abortions and shoot the doctor in the head. According to the complaint, Lang told police he wanted to "line them all up in a row, get a machine gun and mow them all down." Police found anti-abortion documents, a .38-caliber handgun and ammunition in his room.
In 2007 Lang was arrested outside the Madison Planned Parenthood, telling police that everyone in the building deserved to be executed. Nurses told authorities they noticed Lang outside the facility last week. Lang told police he had been in Madison last week with a gun but was having "spiritual struggles" and was not "100 percent in sync with God" so he didn't shoot anyone.
The president of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin issued a statement saying, "Our primary concern is the health and safety of our patients, staff and volunteers. We have taken the security precautions necessary to continue our work."
In addition to charges of reckless endangerment for the discharge of the firearm, Lang has been arrested on federal charges of attempting to injure or intimidate a person who provides reproductive health services.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Man shoots wife while playing with gun, tells police masked robber did it

27-year-old James Burgett was playing around with a handgun at his home in Marion, Ohio when he unintentionally discharged the weapon and shot his wife in the chest. Burgett is a convicted felon and as such is prohibited from possessing firearms. He and his wife were concerned what would happen if police found out so when they called 911 for medical help they made up a story, telling police they had been robbed by a masked gunman who shot the woman and made off with some money.
"After we got here it quickly became clear that it really didn't happen that way," said a Marion police spokesperson. Burgett was taken to Multi-County Correctional Center on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, obstructing justice, and tampering with evidence. His wife was taken to the hospital where she is in the intensive care unit in fair condition.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Restaurant manager unintentionally shoots coworker through bathroom wall

Carlos Sepulveda, manager of the West Side Italian restaurant in San Antonio, Texas was concerned over "a lot of odd activity during closing and at the risk of anything happening at the restaurant," so he decided to bring a gun to work for protection. He had only had the gun at work for a few days when something did happen. Monday night Sepulveda took the loaded, cocked revolver out of the cashbox to count the evening's money. When he put the gun down on the counter he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet went through the nearby wall into the bathroom and stuck 25-year-old Christian Bilderback, who was using the restroom at the time. Bilderback was shot in the thigh and taken to a local hospital.
"It was horrible," said Sepulveda, "but it was all just an unfortunate accident."

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Woman shot in restaurant when man at next table dropped gun still struggling to recover

Last January, 71-year-old Diana Baker went out to dinner at a restaurant in Houston, Texas. While she was sitting with her husband and friends eating dinner the man at the next table, who has a concealed weapons permit, dropped a handgun out of his coat pocket. The gun hit the ground and fired a bullet that hit Diana in the buttocks. Her life has not been the same since.
"You cannot believe how your life can change from a happy occasion, sitting having dinner and suddenly, you don't go home again for six weeks and it's a life-and-death situation," said Diana.
After three surgeries, with at least one more to come, her left leg and foot are paralyzed and because the bullet perforated her intestines, she still has a colostomy. Her medical bills have already topped $300,000.
She has filed a civil lawsuit against the gun owner and would like to see criminal charges brought against him. The man told reporters he didn't even realize he had a loaded gun on him because he hadn't worn that jacket in at least a year and didn't remember there was a gun in the pocket.
"He's changed our lives, not just mine, the whole family," said Diana. "I don't know the man, I've never heard from him, so I don't know what type of man he is, but I just hope he everyday thinks about the pain that I've suffered."

Monday, May 23, 2011

2-year-old finds gun in console of family car, shoots and kills herself

2-year-old Addison Tussey, of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, was out to dinner with her family at a restaurant in Ashland. Her mother, Brandy, took Addison and another child out to the car while her father, Gary, stayed to pay the bill.
As Brandy was putting the infant in the car seat Addison was playing in the front seat where she found a small caliber handgun in the center console. The mother reported she heard a 'pop' and looked to see Addison slumped over the passenger seat. Addison had fired the gun, shooting herself in the left cheek. She was rushed to a trauma center in Huntington but died of her injuries.
Police say the gun had been put in the console "on a previous occasion." They are continuing to investigate this "tragic accident."
Too sad.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Man who sleeps with gun under pillow unintentionally shot by wife while getting ready for bed

A 48-year-old Battle Creek, Michigan man and his 46-year-old wife were getting ready for bed. The man owns several guns and sleeps with a pistol under his pillow. As the couple went to go to their bedroom the wife picked up a 9mm semi-automatic handgun from an end table intending to carry it into the bedroom. She thought the safety on the handgun was on, but when she picked up the gun and grabbed the trigger the gun discharged shooting her husband in the knee.
They both told police that the shooting was an accident. Police are seeking a warrant for reckless discharge of a firearm.
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Man cleaning handgun unintentionally shoots and kills 3-year-old nephew

3-year-old Kvonta Dodd of Greenville County, South Carolina died during surgery at the Greenville Hospital. Kvonta's uncle (who has not been identified by police) told police he was cleaning his small caliber handgun and while he was unloading the gun it unintentionally discharged. The bullet struck Kvonta in the upper body. The boy was not breathing when police arrived arrived 8:30 Wednesday morning but a deputy was able to resuscitate Kvonta. He was transported to the hospital where his condition was briefly updated before he entered surgery.
The uncle was taken to the law enforcement center to be interviewed but no charges have been filed. According to a police statement: "It has been determined that the incident does appear to be accidental but the Sheriff's Office continues the investigation."
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Man practicing quickdraw against Godfather poster unintentionally fires shot into neighbor's apartment

27-year-old Travis Hood of Cedar Mill, Oregon was practicing his quickdraw with his .357 magnum handgun on a poster of Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" when he unintentionally fired the gun. The bullet went through his apartment wall, into the neighbor's apartment where it stuck their flat screen tv.
Hood knocked on the neighbor's door but when no one answered he was afraid he had shot someone and he called the police. According to the police who investigated, "if someone had been sitting on the couch watching the TV in the victim's apartment, he would have likely been hit by the bullet."
Hood was arrested on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree criminal mischief and recklessly endangering. Said a police spokesperson, "In light of Mr. Hood's reckless behavior with a loaded gun, deputies arrested him."
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Star high school athlete and dancer sidelined by unintentional shooting


Pocatello, Idaho high school sophmore Marlee EchoHawk was hoping to medal at the state high school track meet this week in Boise. Last year Marlee medaled in the 100m and 200m races at the state meet. But her hopes changed on Saturday night when she and two other girls were injured when a boy unintentionally discharged a 20 gauge shotgun during a pre-prom group date.
The accident resulted in more than 50 shotgun pellets lodging in both her feet. Doctors were able to repair much of the damage and save Marlee's toes but they say she faces a long and painful recovery and were uncertain about her future ability to run and dance. Marlee is also a competitive dancer.
Ohh shoot.

Monday, May 16, 2011

School resource officer unintentionally fires gun inside high school

A school resource officer at Hazelwood East high school in St. Louis county Missouri was cleaning his .40-caliber semi-automatic department issued handgun in the security room when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet went through the wall into an office next door where a nurse and two students were sitting. Fortunately, no one was injured.
An internal investigation is underway and the resource officer has been reassigned to different duties pending a decision by the St. Louis County Police Chief.

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Office deals with an accidental gun discharge

On this week's episode of The Office, Dwight loses his job as acting manager after he accidentally fires a gun in the office.
Ohh shoot.


To see the full episode go here: http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/dwight-k-schrute-acting-manager/1326936/

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Man convicted in accidental shooting death also convicted in accidental shooting death 15 years ago

33-year-old Kenneth Randolph, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison for an unintentional shooting in October that killed a 41-year-old Allison Hill man. According to reports, Randolph and the victim, James Snipes, were talking when Randolph dropped a gun. The gun discharged when it hit the ground and the bullet struck Snipes in the chest, killing him. Randolph was barred from possessing a gun because of a 1997 felony conviction. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and firearms violations.
The District Attorney noted that this was the second time Randolph had been convicted of accidentally killing someone. In 1995, Randolph was convicted in juvenile court of involuntary manslaughter after he unintentionally shoot and killed a friend while the then 16-year-olds were playing with guns.
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Boy sits on rifle, rifle discharges, kills sister

64-year-old Claude Hawkins, of Jackson, Mississippi had taken his two young grandchildren to look at horses. When they returned to his Jeep his five-year-old granddaughter climbed in first. Then his four-year-old grandson jumped in the back seat. The little boy landed on a rifle that was stored in the back seat. The rifle discharged, shooting the little girl.
They rushed to Central Mississippi Medical Center where the girl was pronounced dead. Police have ruled the death accidental.
Too sad.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Man gardening in his yard hit by bullet from neighbors target practicing

Charles Jack of Girard, Kansas was in his yard gardening Saturday morning when he was struck with a stray bullet. The bullet penetrated both of his legs. Sheriffs discovered Jack's neighbors, William McManis and Carla Jackett had been target shooting with a .40-caliber handgun. They were shooting into a piece of plywood that was placed in front of a small bale of hay. They hadn't realized that one of the bullets had traveled the 3/10 of a mile south and hit their neighbor in the legs.
Ohh shoot.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Man firing handgun in backyard unintentionally shoots himself in the head

A 23-year-old man from Tonganoxie, Kansas had gone outside to relax after drinking a few beers with his girlfriend. His roommates said they heard three gunshots but weren't alarmed because the man regularly fires his handgun in the backyard at night. Then the man came back in the house, seeking help. He had unintentionally shot himself in the head. The bullet from the .45-caliber pistol entered below his chin and exited at the top of his forehead. He was taken to University of Kansas Hospital where he is listed in serious condition.
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Sheriff Patrol Deputy fired after handgun unintentionally discharged in jail booking area

The Assumption Parish, Louisiana Sheriff announced he fired a patrol deputy and suspended a correctional deputy after a handgun unintentionally discharged in the jail booking area. The Sheriff did not identify the deputies but said the bullet "came within inches" of hitting a Louisiana State Police trooper.
The patrol deputy had given the Glock handgun to the correctional officer after having taken the magazine out. However, a bullet remained in the chamber. The Glock pistol does not have a safety. The correctional officer was handling the gun when it discharged.
"It was very poor judgement and a gross negligence," said the Sheriff. "I'm glad the negligence didn't turn into someone being hurt or killed."
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Charlie Sheen says he didn't shoot Kelly Preston

For the past twenty-one years the tale has been that Charlie Sheen accidentally shot his then girlfriend Kelly Preston in the arm. But recently, while on his "Truth" tour, Sheen is telling a different story.
Sheen says he was downstairs, making coffee. "I thought she was still asleep upstairs. And I heard a f--- gunshot go off." He says he "abandoned the coffee - because a gunshot in the morning will wake you up better than a nice cup of coffee. I come around the corner and there's naked Kelly Preston at the top of the stairs, holding her wrist, staring at me, covered in blood."
Kelly told him that "when she lifted my pants off the scale in the bathroom while she was sitting on the toilet, the tiny revolver I used to carry fell out of the back pocket and hit the floor and shot a bullet right between her legs. So she got hit with shrapnel from the toilet bowl."
In March police confiscated an antique gun and some ammunition from Sheen's home after his ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, took out a restraining order against him.
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Neo-Nazi leader shot and killed by 10-year-old son

32-year-old Jeff Hall, regional director of the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Movement, died inside his Riverside, California home about 4 a.m. Sunday morning. He died of a single gunshot wound to the chest. His wife and five children, all under the age of 12, were home at the time of the shooting.
The National Socialist Movement core beliefs include "defending the rights of white people everywhere" and the "promotion of white separation." Hall held a meeting at his house on Saturday to discuss an upcoming patrol that was planned along the Arizona/Mexico border. Hall's neighbors reported being intimidated by Hall and members of his group and hoped his death would mean "we'll never see any of them again. It was scary here."
According to the coroner's office Hall was shot with a handgun by "a known assailant." Hall's 10-year-old son has been booked at juvenile hall for investigation of murder. Police haven't released details of the shooting. The motive for the shooting hasn't been determined but police say that "it was an intentional act." But is a 10-year-old really capable of comprehending the act of murder?
Ohh shoot.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Drunk man, handling gun at 3 a.m., unintentionally shoots himself in the hand

26-year-old Cody Schara, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin unintentionally shot himself in the hand while handling a handgun in his home at 3 a.m. The bullet damaged a fingertip and went through his left hand below the pinky finger. No one else was present when the gun fired, although his mother was asleep in another room. Preliminary breath tests produced a 0.12 blood-alcohol level, 1 1/2 times the legal limit for driving. Schara has been charged with reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor that could result in a fine if found guilty.
Police noted that accidental shootings happen once or twice a year in Reedsburg. "Obviously, weapons and alcohol don't mix," said the police spokesperson.
Ohh shoot.