8-year-old boy unintentionally shot at gun range

8-year-old David Young, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was with his family at the Black Hawk Park firing range. He wandered across the firing line and was unintentionally shot in the head by his 5-year-old sister with a .22-caliber rifle.
At first officials thought it was a minor injury with an entrance and exit wound. But later at the hospital doctors discovered a lump on another part of his head and suspected the bullet fragmented and part of the projectile went deeper than first thought.
David was flown to Iowa City and taken to the Brain Trauma Unit. His conditions wasn't available.
Officials plan to meet at the sheriff's office to review safety at the range in light of the incident.

Baby shot in face, two others injured in unintentional discharge of handgun

A 21-year-old Nacagdoches, Texas man was unloading a 9mm handgun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon.
The bullet struck the man in the left hand. It then struck a young woman sitting in a chair nearby. The bullet struck the woman in the hand and then hit an 8-month-old baby who was sitting in her lap. The baby was hit in the face. The bullet then continued through the wall of the apartment and into the residence next door where it lodged in a piece of furniture.
All three people were treated at a local hospital. The baby was transferred to a hospital in Houston in serious condition.
Police are investigating the incident. "Right now, it is being treated as an accidental shooting," said the public information officer. No charges have been filed.

Teenager unintentionally shoots himself trying to run from police after stealing a car

18-year-old Roger Donell Johnson, of Winter Park, Florida, was driving a stolen blue Volvo down the road when the owner of the car saw him drive by. The owner called police who found the car in front of a nearby house. The police boxed in the car but Johnson threw the car into reverse and slammed into an unmarked police car.
Johnson then jumped from the car and ran north with police in pursuit. He pulled a .44-caliber handgun from his waistband and in the process unintentionally shot himself in the right calf.
Johnson was arrested and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed firearm and aggravated assault.

Man sentenced in unintentional shooting death

24-year-old Deon Farley, of Syracuse, New York has been sentenced to one to four years in prison for criminally negligent homicide in the May, 2010 shooting death of 25-year-old Morgan McMahon.
Farley and McMahon were riding in a minivan with two other people when the vehicle hit a bump in the road and Farley unintentionally discharged the gun he was holding. McMahon was shot in the back and died of her injuries.
According to police the four had just been involved in a drive-by shooting and were fleeing the scene when the incident happened.
Farley was also sentenced to 10 years, with five years post release supervision, for criminal possession of a weapon.

Trio of unintentional shootings in Maine

Gil Jaeger, of Bristol, Maine was shot when he went into the woods near his home to investigate gunshots he heard.
According to police a nearby neighbor was target practicing on his own property. "Investigators are confident that this shootings was not intentional in nature and all the parties involved have been identified and are cooperating," said the local sheriff.
Jaeger sustained "non-life-threatening injuries to his torso" and is recovering in the hospital.

33-year-old Cory Ouellette, of Orono, ME and 24-year-old Christopher Dempsey, of Topsham, ME, were arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a firearm after a stray bullet fired while they were target practicing entered a nearby residence.
A woman called police to say a bullet had just shot into her house. According to reports, "the bullet went through several walls and landed in the living room, where she was sitting. It missed her by an estimated three feet."
Police confiscated multiple guns from the men, including a .44-magnum rifle.

Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty is bruised but okay after being unintentionally shot by a deputy during a training session at a gun range in Gardiner, ME.
The men were taking part in a required qualifying session at the gun range. Liberty was shot in the back when a deputy went to reload his pistol. Fortunately, Liberty was wearing his ballistic vest.
The deputy was reloading his weapon behind a shed about 30 feet away when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet went through both walls of the shed before hitting Liberty.
"It hit just to the right of the center of my spine," said Liberty. "The vest did a good job. It dispersed the blow."
Liberty added that it's the policy of the Kennebec County Sheriff's Department to require officers to wear ballistic vests on gun ranges, but it's not a policy for every department.

Man hosting "shooting party" arrested when stray bullet hits house nearby

60-year-old Craig Jacobus, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was hosting a "shooting party" in his back yard. According to reports there were about 40 people at the party, of all ages. Guests were using metal can lids and watermelons as shooting targets while shooting a 9mm handgun and an Ar-15 and AK-47 assault rifle.
Police were called when a bullet from the AK-47 struck a neighbor's house. Stanley Reinhold was in his sun room when he heard an unusual sounds. Upon closer inspection, Reinhold discovered that a bullet had hit his house.
Reports indicate that the bullet hit a porch rail, entered through the window frame, angled upward to a wall and then bounced back toward the window before falling to the floor of the sun room.
When police arrived at Jacobus' house to investigate they could see traffic on the road behind where the targets were located as well as the high school athletic fields.
Jacobus insisted that they were shooting in a "safe manner" and told police he had hosted similar parties before. He was arrested and charged with recklessly endangering another person. Jacobus was arraigned last week and leased on $25,000 bail.

Woman showing off her gun in hair salon unintentionally shoots and kills co-worker

53-year-old Suripan Thomas, of Jonesboro, Georgia was showing off her pistol to a group of people. She wanted to show them how the sight worked so she took the handgun from her purse and was pointing it in the direction of a co-worker when she pulled the trigger.
The gun discharged and the bullet struck 40-year-old Lynn Adams in the chest. Adams died of her injuries.
Thomas was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.
Salons seem to be dangerous places to be these days. Consider:

• October 21, 2012 - 7 shot, 4 killed in Brookfield, Wisconsin salon by husband of employee.
• October 18, 2012 – 4 shot, 3 killed, in Casselberry, Florida hair salon by estranged boyfriend of employee.
• Sept 27 2012 – 2 shot, 1 fatally, in Dorchester, Massachusetts hair salon.
• Sept. 24, 2012 - 1 shot and killed, 6 others, including 2 children, held hostage at Sioux Falls, South Dakota hair salon by employee’s estranged boyfriend.
• July 14, 2012 -  2 shot and injured inside an Ellicott City, Maryland hair salon by employee’s estranged boyfriend.
• April 6, 2012 – Patron shot when gun in purse unintentionally discharges in Chicago, Illinois nail salon.
• February, 22, 2012 – 4 shot and killed inside Norcross, Georgia salon by relative of spa’s owner.
• February 13, 2012 – 5 people shot, including 2-year-old girl, during shootout inside Vallejo, California nail salon when gunmen targeting a customer.
• October 12, 2011 - 9 shot, 8 killed in Seal Beach, California beauty salon by employee’s ex-husband.

Family man mistaken for boar while hunting with friend, shot and killed

34-year-old Clinton Haas, of Loxahatchee, Florida, was out hunting boar with his friend, 36-year-old Ernie Small. The two were helping to eradicate boar from a gated community.
"Boars destroy property like there is no tomorrow," said a local police officer. "They eat roots, insects, they dig up the ground."
At some point, Small mistook Haas for a boar and,tragically, shot and killed him.
Haas leaves behind a wife, son and twin daughters. He owned a one-man repair business.
His wife told reporters that Haas' body was taken to the University of Miami where his cornea, tissues and bone marrow will be donated.

Man cleaning his rifle unintentionally fires bullet through neighbor's floor

31-year-old Brian Glodgett, of Stratford, Connecticut was cleaning his rifle when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet went through the floor of the apartment above. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Police confiscated the gun, which they found stored under a bed, and arrested Glodgett for illegal discharge of a firearm.
In 2010 Glodgett was charged with drunk driving after failing a sobriety test. He was stopped for failing to drive in the correct lane.

Soldier unintentionally shoots self in knee, dies

38-year-old Charles Lacy was a Special Forces soldier stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. He was sitting in a recliner cleaning a gun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet hit him in the knee.
Lacy was taken to the local hospital where he died of his injuries.
"Anybody else should have survived a shot in the knee," said a police spokeswoman. "But this hit his artery. It was just a tragic accident."
Lacy had received numerous commendations during his military career. His deployments included Niger and Haiti.

Gun enthusiast unintentionally shoots himself in the head and dies

53-year-old David Holiday, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was a gun enthusiast and a military veteran who was believed to be a master weapons instructor. He had invited some friends over to his house to sell and/or trade some guns.
Holiday had six handguns on his kitchen table and was telling his friends how he always kept the guns in his house unloaded. He picked up one of the guns, raised it up, and believing the gun was unloaded, unintentionally discharged the gun.
Holiday was shot in the head and died at the scene.
Police said that alcohol was involved in the incident but don't yet know to what extent.

Man helping brother slaughter pig unintentionally shot and killed

28-year-old Koua Vang of Elk Grove, California was helping his older brother slaughter two pigs for a family party. A circle of family members, including Vang, had gathered around the two bound pigs. The brother killed one pig but when he went to shoot the second pig the animal lurched, hitting the .22-caliber rifle and causing the gun to unintentionally discharge.
Vang was hit in the face at close range. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died of his injuries two days later.

3-year-old finds gun under parent's bed, shoots himself

A 3-year-old Pontiac, Michigan boy was playing in his parent's bedroom when he found an unlocked, loaded .40-caliber Glock handgun in a holster under the bed. He unintentionally shot himself in the mouth.
The boy was taken to the local hospital and then transferred to a larger facility. He has injuries to his mouth and face and lost some teeth but is expected to recover.
The father told police the bedroom door is usually locked but they were moving some things around the house and left the door unlocked.
The 35-year-old man has a concealed weapons permit but authorities are recommending to the licensing board that it be suspended.

Benefit to teach gun safety, honor teen who unintentionally shot and killed himself

19-year-old Zackery Freeman, of Crawfordsville, Indiana was an avid hunter who had taken gun safety classes. But on August 22nd he made a mistake and ended up paying for it with his life.
That day Zack and a friend were out shooting. According to a friend, "Zack's friend laid the weapon behind the front seat. Zack picked it up by the business end, not knowing it had a round in it."
Zack was removing the shotgun from the back seat of his car. He grabbed the gun by the barrel, assuming it was not loaded. But it was loaded and one of the guns' two safeties was off and the weapon discharged, striking Zack in the abdomen.
Zack was rushed to the hospital but died a short time later.
"It was a terrible accident, and Zack knew better," said his mother. "But he had to go to work and he was in a hurry."
This Saturday an event will be held at the Big R store in Crawfordsville. The benefit is called "A Cause for a Rebel" and will feature a silent auction, music, food, and a car, truck and bike show. Local law enforcement will also be at the event to teach the do's and don'ts of handling firearms as well as handing out gun safety locks and literature about gun safety.

Father shoots and kills son after mistaking him for burglar

77-year-old James Griffin, of Chicago, Illinois, was watching television with his son, 48-year-old Michael Griffin. The two fell asleep but at some point Michael woke up and left the apartment. When he came back in James thought Michael was a burglar and shot and killed him.
Police found Michael, who was shot once in the head, dead in his father's home.
James Griffin was a retired police officer. He had served for 42 years as a homicide detective on Chicago's West Side. He retired in 1998.
Michael had recently been evicted from his apartment and had moved in with his father and one of his brothers.
His brother, Stephen, told reporters that his father's senses "aren't as sharp as they used to be," but added that he is in good physical health.
No charges have been announced by police.

Man showing off gun in hotel room unintentionally shoots gun wounds man in room next door

26-year-old Zachariah McCullough, of Grand Junction, Colorado was in a hotel room with friends at the Mesa Inn drinking beer and watching a football game. He pulled out .41-caliber Ruger revolver and started showing off the gun.
According to records, "Zach was displaying and boasting about the firearm and witness told him to unload it. Zach was manipulating the firearm when it suddenly discharged and blew a large hole in the south wall."
The bullet pierced the north wall of the room next door, blasting through a mirror. The man staying in the room, Juan Lara, was injured by shrapnel in his right shoulder.
McCullough fled the scene and was later located at his home by police. He denied any knowledge of the incident.
According to a statement from the police officer, "I told him that in a hypothetical situation where one discharged a firearm into a neighboring room in a motel, a reasonable human reaction to such a mishap would be that of concern that someone might have been hit."
McCullough later admitted the shooting. He was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm and prohibited use of weapons. According to his lawyer, McCullough is the father of five children and his wife is expecting a sixth child.

Woman unintentionally shoots her 8-year-old daughter, lies to police about incident

31-year-old Jennifer Mitchell, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana was fighting with her husband, Henry. At some point during the argument Jennifer armed herself with a handgun and unintentionally fired the gun. The bullet went through Henry's leg and hit their 8-year-old daughter. The bullet grazed the girl's chest.
At the hospital while her daughter was being treated Jennifer told police that the girl had found the .38-caliber handgun in a nightstand and had accidentally fired it. During the investigation police discovered inconsistencies in the parents' story and arrested the pair.
Jennifer Mitchell was charged with aggravated battery, negligent injury, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and criminal mischief for filing a false police report.
Henry Mitchell was charged with simple assault, accessory after the fact to negligent injury, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and obstruction of justice.
The couple's three children, including the girl who was wounded, were taken into protective custody.

Woman unintentionally discharges gun, hits tv in apartment below

25-year-old Amy Walter, of Colorado Springs, Colorado picked up a handgun and unintentionally discharged it. The bullet went through the floor of her apartment and into the apartment below.
Shirae Hines, who lives in the apartment below Walter, had just settled down with her kids to watch television when the bullet came ripping through the ceiling and hit her flat screen TV. Hines called the police who questioned the three people in the apartment above.
Walter was arrested and charged with several misdemeanors.

Man cleaning his handgun unintentionally shoots his girlfriend

34-year-old Lena Owens, of Coal Grove, Ohio was getting something out of the refrigerator when she was unintentionally shot by her boyfriend.
According to police, Owens' boyfriend was cleaning his .22- caliber handgun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet hit Lena in the breast area. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.
No arrest has been made in the incident.

17-year-old unintentionally shot and killed by older brother who had recently bought a gun

17-year-old David Wade was in the basement of his Stoughton, Massachusetts home with his 21-year-old brother. Just a few weeks earlier, his brother had gotten his gun license and purchased a .40-caliber handgun (Massachusetts is one of only eleven states that require a license or permit before an individual can purchase a handgun).
According to reports, David was unintentionally shot in the chest by his brother shortly before 3:27 pm.m Saturday.
David's mother and brother tried to help him before emergency responders arrived. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Police are still investigating the incident.

Man teaching minor how to hunt unintentionally shot and killed

28-year-old Kenneth Moore, of Rochester, Indiana, was with a group of four who were teaching a 12-year-old how to hunt as part of Indiana's Youth Deer Season. This year's youth hunting session was Saturday and Sunday, during which time only hunters younger than 18 are allowed to have weapons.
According to reports, the hunting party had split into two groups. Moore and the youth were walking in a cornfield when Moore was shot in the head. Police have not identified the shooter but did say he was an adult.
Moore was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The incident is still under investigation.