Utah man unintentionally shoots self while checking for burglars

A Salt Lake City, Utah man was awakened around 3 a.m. Thinking he heard a burglar in his apartment he grabbed his .22-caliber handgun and his flashlight. When he went to turn on the flashlight he pulled the gun's trigger instead. The bullet hit him in the chest.
He was able to call 911 but officers had to break down the apartment door to get to him. He is in the hospital in critical condition. There is no evidence of a burglary in the apartment.
Ohh shoot.

Cleaning guns: TX woman unintentionally shoots and kills herself; PA man shoots friend

55-year-old Rebecca G. of San Antonio, Texas was sitting on her coach, cleaning her .38-caliber handgun. The gun unintentionally discharged and she was shot once in the chest.
Rebecca was taken to University Hospital where, shortly after 4 p.m., she was pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, in Hunlock Township, Pennsylvania, two friends were cleaning weapons when one friend unintentionally discharged his firearm, hitting the other man. The bullet struck the 40-year-old man in the left bicep.
The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries and released.
Ohh shoot.

Thinking shotgun was toy air gun man unintentionally kills friend in Thanksgiving prank

23-year-old Nicholas Bell of Manchester, Vermont went to wake up his 24-year-old friend Jeffrey Charbonneau Thanksgiving morning. The two were guests at a friend's house and Nicholas planned to play a prank on Jeffrey. He grabbed what he thought was a toy air gun, pointed it at Jeffrey and pulled the trigger. Tragically, Nicholas was holding a .22 caliber rifle, not a toy gun. Jeffrey died at the scene.
A local licensed firearms retailer said it can be very easy to confuse the toy air gun with the .22-caliber rifle because they are similar in weight and size.
"You could have the two side by side and somebody that didn't know about guns wouldn't be able to tell the two apart," he said.
Ohh shoot.

Four children in jail, one child dead, one in critical condition after two unintentional shootings

The night before Thanksgiving two boys, ages 15 and 16, were looking at a 9mm handgun. The 15-year-old boy had bought the gun "on the street" of his Jefferson Parish, Louisiana town. The handgun unintentionally discharged, the bullet striking 9-year-old George E. in the head. George was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The two teens were taken into custody. The 15-year-old was charged with negligent homicide. The 16-year-old was charged with obstruction of justice. Both were charged with illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.
Meanwhile, in another Jefferson Parish town, a 15-year-old boy found a handgun behind his apartment building. He was showing the gun to his 12-year-old friend Karin when an 11-year-old girl went to grab the handgun. The gun discharged, striking Karin. She is in the hospital in critical condition.
The 11-year-old girl and the 15-year-old boy were taken into custody and charged with negligent injury.
Ohh shoot.

Man trying to sell gun at pawn shop unintentionally shoots self

A Macon, Georgia man brought his .380-caliber handgun to Howard's Pawn Shop to try and sell the gun. While Joel T. was showing the gun to an employee he ejected the magazine but neglected to clear the chamber. When he pulled the trigger the gun fired and the round struck his left index finger. Joel was then taken to the hospital.
No charges are expected to be filed.
Ohh shoot.

Father showing 4-year-old son how to shoot gun unintentionally shoots and kills 3-year-old son

3-year-old Jesse Simpson was visiting his grandparents in Hemby Bridge, North Carolina. Jesse's father, 24-year-old Derek Simpson, was showing his 4-year-old brother how to fire an antique, muzzle-loaded rifle. The gun has to be filled with powder and can only fire one shot at a time.
The father and son were on the back porch when Jesse stepped outside and was shot. He was shot in the upper torso and died at the scene. At the time of the shooting Jesse's mother was at work and his grandmother and other family members were inside the house. Neighbors said the family are avid hunters.
Ohh shoot.

4 people shot first day of deer hunting season in Wisconsin

Four hunters were shot in separate incidents across Wisconsin on the first day of gun deer hunting season.
One hunter was shot when another hunter was aiming at a deer. The victim was air-lifted to the hospital and is in serious condition.
A man in Marathon County was shot in the chest by another person in his hunting party. The wound is not life threatening.
A hunter in Door County was hit in the thigh and a hunter in Marquette County was grazed by a bullet.
Ohh shoot.

Thinking there was a burglar, man shoots girlfriend who had gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom

56-year-old Larry Trammell of Brockton, Massachusetts keeps a loaded .38-caliber handgun next to his bed. Early Thursday morning he woke up to a noise he thought was a burglar. Trammell grabbed his handgun, got out of bed and confronted the person just inside the bathroom. According to police reports he "yelled and shot the person one time from approximately two to three feet away."
The person he shot was his 66-year-old girlfriend who had gotten out of bed to use the bathroom. She suffered a single gunshot wound to the torso and was taken to Boston Medical Center where she is listed in critical but stable condition.
Trammell told police he did not look to see if his girlfriend was in bed before he grabbed the gun. Trammell did not have a license for the weapon and was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful carrying of a firearm, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

NOTE: Massachusetts in one of only four states that requires a license to purchase and possess a firearm. The other states are Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey. In addition, seven other states require a license to purchase and possess a handgun: California, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Thirty-nine states have NO licensing requirements for purchasing and possessing firearms.
Ohh shoot.

MTA officer shot when colleague's gun unintentionally goes off

A New York City MTA officer was shot in the stomach when a colleague's gun unintentionally discharged inside an administrative building. A Tunnel Authority officer was placing her service weapon in a gun locker when she hit the trigger. The bullet ricocheted inside the locker before traveling across the room and striking the other officer in the stomach. The wound was not life-threatening.
Ohh shoot.

Widow holds nothing against hunter who unintentionally shot and killed her husband

68-year-old Jim Ayer, a rancher in Crawford, Colorado started a hunting business years ago to help make his yearly land payment.  Last week he was taking a group of hunters from California around his mountain when Jim lost his footing.  The man with him went to grab him and also lost his footing and dropped his gun.  The gun went off and a single bullet struck Jim in the head, killing his instantly.  
Before the incident the hunters had been discussing news reports and lawsuits that allege the Remington 700 rifle is unsafe. The gun that dropped and discharged was a Remington 700 rifle.
When asked about the out-of-state investigators who have already contacted her about the rifle, Jim's widow Susan responded, "That's something I'll have to deal with, not today or tomorrow, but sometime. It was not the fault of the hunter," she added, "They are more than hunters. They are friends."
Ohh shoot.

Teen left paralyzed by unintentional shooting files lawsuit

Kamesha W., of Brooklyn, New York was celebrating her 16th birthday at a friend's house. One of the teens, Evan B., took out a handgun which allegedly belonged to his father, an NYPD police officer. As Kamesha recalls, "I was sitting on the couch texting on the phone. Evan was just holding the gun, looking at it." The gun went off and a bullet ripped into Kamesha's right side.
Kamesha has been left paralyzed by the shooting and will never walk again.
She has filed suit in Brooklyn Supreme Court against the city and is seeking "meaningful compensation."
Ohh shoot.

Husband gets probation and community service for unintentionally shooting wife

31-year-old Randy M. of York, Pennsylvania was riding in the car with his wife and three children, ages 6, 4, and 7 months. Randy was looking at his newly purchased handgun, checking to see if the gun was loaded when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet when through his wife's right leg and into her left leg. After shooting his wife Randy moved into the driver's seat and took her to the York Hospital.
Randy pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment for injuring his wife. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service and pay court costs. In exchange for the guilty plea, three other counts of reckless endangerment were dismissed, one for each child.
Ohh shoot.

Iraq veteran unintentionally shoots and kills self while cleaning handgun

In July, 21-year-old Josh Meeks of Whitwell, Tennessee returned home from a tour of duty in Iraq. In August he got married. Last week he bought a 9mm handgun. Saturday night he was cleaning the gun and showing it to his friends when the gun unintentionally discharged. The single shot struck Josh, killing him.
Josh will be buried Thursday afternoon with full military honors.
Ohh shoot.

Two unintentional shootings in two days in Douglas County, Oregon

39-year-old George J. of Tri City, Oregon, was sitting in his car in the parking lot of his child's elementary school unloading his gun when he unintentionally fired the gun. The bullet hit him in the leg. He was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center where he is listed in fair condition.
The next day, 20-year-old Kristina S. of Rainier, Oregon was hunting with her fiance, 33-year-old Robert S. Kristina had shot a deer but the deer was still alive. As she went to reload her .270 Winchester rifle to shoot the deer again she closed the bolt and the gun fired. The bullet struck Robert in the leg. Rescue workers had to pack him to a location where the Life Flight helicopter could land. He was flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.
Ohh shoot.

Family starts program to give away gun locks after son shot and killed in unintentional shooting

In January, 11-year-old Matthew Bellamy of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, went to spend the night at a friend's house. The friend had been hunting with his grandfather. Shortly after Matthew arrived he was unintentionally shot and killed by his 12-year-old friend.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, his family has established The Matthew Bellamy Project - a gun safety program that offers free gun locks to anyone. The plea is simple" "Secure all firearms" and keep guns "out of sight and out of reach of kids."
All firearms should be kept locked and unloaded and ammunition stored separately. Keys for firearms and ammunition should be kept in different places from where you keep household keys.
"As long as I can get out the message, I'll keep on handing out locks," said Matthew's father.
Ohh shoot.

Man in town for Cowboy Shoot fires shot in hotel room while cleaning gun

69-year-old Leo Rusk, of Greenville, South Carolina, was in Salisbury, North Carolina attending a Cowboy Shooting Association meeting. He was staying at the Holiday Inn, cleaning his Taylor and Co. Uberti .357 Magnum rifle. Thinking the gun was unloaded, Rusk pulled the trigger. The gun fired a round that went through his hotel room wall, into the room next door.
The guest in the room next door was out when the bullet came through the wall. The round pierced a jacket hanging in the room. Rusk must compensate the guest and the hotel for the damage but no charges will be filed against him. "In this situation there appears to be no willful intent to commit this act," said police.
Ohh shoot.

Twin kills twin in unintentional shooting

19-year-old twin brothers, Dalton and Austin L., were cleaning their handguns in their Redding, California apartment when Austin's gun unintentionally went off. The bullet struck Dalton in the chest, killing him.
A candlelight memorial service was held to remember Dalton.

Those in attendance were encouraged to bring flowers to float down the Sacramento River in Dalton's memory.
Ohh shoot.

13-year-old shot in face marks one year struggle to recover

Last October, 13-year-old Alyssa F. was unintentionally shot in the face by her brother Xavier. Alyssa spent a month in North Carolina's Brenner Children's Hospital and another month at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. She had 13 major and minor surgeries and procedures and faces more dental procedures. She has had skin grafts and had her jaw wired shut for several months. She has also had several facial reconstructive surgeries. Her injuries have left her blind.
Xavier did not realize the gun he pointed at his sister was loaded. He pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon. According to his mother, "He's a good kid. It was more traumatic for him because he saw what Alyssa looked like."
Ohh shoot.

Concealed carry permit holder shoots self in leg while ordering a beer at a bar

Wayne Latham was convicted of recklessly handling a firearm and ordered to pay a $500 fine, give up his concealed carry permit for a year, and surrender his .45-caliber Glock handgun to police to be destroyed.
The charges were the result of an incident that took place in September. Latham was in a pizza parlor in Lynchburg, Virginia where he ordered a beer. As the bartender was handing over the drink Latham's gun went off shooting him in the thigh. Latham told the court he reached into his pocket to pay when either his hand or something else in his pocket set off his unholstered gun.
Virginia law allows concealed weapons permit holders to carry into restaurants that serve alcohol as long as they abstain from drinking. Charges of carrying a handgun in a restaurant after consuming alcohol were dropped because there was no evidence that Latham had a chance to drink any of the beer he ordered.
Ohh shoot.

Chicago teens playing with guns, two die in separate incidents

13-year-old Isaiah M. was hanging out with two friends who were playing with a handgun when the gun went off, fatally striking Isaiah in the head. According to a minister in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, guns are a constant problem for teens. "They have easy access to guns and nothing to do," he said.
On the Northwest side of Chicago, 17-year-old Damien C. died after he was shot in the head. He and a friend were playing with the gun when it discharged. It was not clear if the victim or someone else was holding the weapon at the time. The gun was recovered at the scene.
Ohh shoot.

Man shoots himself while sleepwalking

63-year-old Sanford R. of Boulder, Colorado woke up at 2am to a loud bang. While sleepwalking he had shot himself in the knee with the 9mm handgun he keeps loaded and unlocked on his bedside table. Sanford says he has no recollection of the incident. He was taken to the local hospital where he was treated and released.
According to police Sanford takes prescription medication for pain but no alcohol or drugs played a role in the nocturnal shooting.
Ohh shoot.