Man Pulls Gun in Road Rage Incident Ends Up Shooting Himself

 A man was driving on Buchanan Highway in Paulding County, Georgia around 7:45 in the morning.  Traffic was backedup due to a lumber truck trying to make a delivery. Two men were wearing reflective vests and directing traffic. Deputies stated that the road rage suspect was "clearly impatient and annoyed by the delay." The man got out of his car, pulled out a handgun and started threatening the workers.  

Eventually the angry man returned to his vehicle. While trying to re-holster his gun he unintentionally shot himself in the hand. No one else was injured. 

He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Deputies stated that they are reviewing the incident and will determine whether to charge the man after he is released from the hospital. 

TSA Stops Record Number of Firearms at Airport Security Checkpoints in 2022

 TSA officers stopped 6,542 firearms from getting through airport security checkpoints in 2022.  This is an increase of over 300% in just the last decade. Firearms were caught at 262 airports nationwide. TSA reports that of the guns caught in 2022 approximately 88% were loaded. 

At Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Georgia TSA officers found more than one gun every day. The 2022 total for Atlanta was 448 firearms. The next top airports were Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, 385 firearms, George Bush Airport Houston, Texas, 298 firearms, Nashville Airport, Tennessee, 213 firearms and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona, 196 firearms. 

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms if they are in their checked baggage. Guns must be unloaded and packed in a locked case. Ammunition must be in its original box. The firearm must be brought to the attention of the airline at the check-in counter. Firearms are transported in the belly of the aircraft so that they are not accessible during flight. 

Earlier this week a man was stopped at Washington National Airport when security found a loaded .25-caliber handgun in his carry-on bag. The man claimed he forgot he had his gun with him. He was cited on a weapon charge that carries a penalty of no more than $15,000.  

Question - should someone who forgets they are carrying around a loaded gun be allowed to own a deadly weapon?

Public Safety Training Instructor and Student Shot and Wounded At Gun Range

 An instructor at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) was shot and injured when another instructor unintentionally fired his handgun.  A student was also injured.

According to reports a 58-year-old instructor at GPSTC was drawing his firearm from his holster when he lost his grip, as he tried to regain his grip his finger got stuck in the trigger and he fired the gun. The bullet struck another instructor, William Skinner, 49, in the leg and a student, Andrew Jordan, 30, in the foot. Both men were taken to a hospital in Macon for treatment. Skinner was treated and released. Jordan's injury required surgery. 

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center is a "comprehensive training complex for all state and local public" officers. It is home to the Georgia Police Academy, the Basic Training Division and the Instructional Services Division. 

Man looking to buy handgun unintentionally shot

50-year-old Anthony Williamson, of Duluth, Georgia had arranged to buy a handgun from a private seller. Williamson and his friend, Jonathan Jordan, drove to the Academy Sports parking lot in Newnan to meet the seller.

While Jordan was examining the gun he unintentionally discharged the weapon.Williamson was shot in the abdomen. He was airlifted to Atlanta for treatment and was listed in stable condition after surgery.

The County Sheriff's Office said the shooting "appears to be not reckless - just an error in firearm safety."  No charges were filed.

The Sheriff's Office also noted that in Georgia, as in most states, it is legal to sell a handgun in a store parking lot with no background check run and no records kept.

Woman shot outside elementary school after man drops gun

A 20-year-old woman was standing outside of L. H. Williams elementary school in Macon, Georgia Monday night around 9:30 p.m. She told police she heard a popping noise and when she looked down at her hands, she noticed they were bleeding.

According to police an as yet unidentified male dropped a gun which then unintentionally discharged, shooting the woman.  The bullet grazed both her arms and she was taken to the local hospital for treatment.

Police are still investigating the incident.

Guns are the only consumer product manufactured in American not regulated by a federal agency for health and safety. Guns that discharge when dropped clearly have a design flaw yet the Consumer Product Safety Commission has no authority to issue a recall on any gun or demand they be redesigned.

Woman cleaning out her purse unintentionally shoots friend

30-year-old Jordan Lynch, of Macon, Georgia, was cleaning out her purse, getting ready to go out to dinner with her friend, 26-year-old Matthew Harvey.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, "Lynch went to remove her handgun from the purse and accidentally shot Harvey in the right knee."

Harvey was taken to the hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition.

There is no indication that Lynch will be charged in the shooting.

Man shoots armadillo, bullet ricochets, hits his mother-in-law

54-year-old Larry McElroy, of Leesburg, Georgia, shot an armadillo with his 9mm handgun while standing outside his mobile home.

The bullet ricocheted off the animal's armor, went through the back door of the mobile home and into the back of a recliner where McElroy's mother-in-law was sitting.

74-year-old Carol Johnson was struck in the back.  She was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

"The whole situation was unusual," said the county sheriff.

Residents are allowed to shoot armadillos as a way to get rid of them and McElroy will not be charged for the shooting.

Tourist killed by ricocheted bullet from unintentional gun discharge in Helen, Georgia

A woman from Texas was visiting the tourist town of Helen, Georgia when she was shot and killed Saturday night. 53-year-old Glenn Lampien, from Jasper, Ga, unintentionally discharged a small-caliber handgun outside the Old Heidelburg restaurant. The bullet hit him in the hand, then ricocheted off the pavement and struck the woman on the other side of the street.

The woman was struck in the side. Bystanders attempted to administer first aid but she died at the scene.

Police have not yet released the woman's name. In a statement, the police said Lampien would be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The shooting occurred less than two months after a new law took effect in Georgia that greatly extended gun owners' rights to carry weapons in public places.

9-year-old boy shot and killed while playing with rifle

9-year-old Landry Oliver, of Guyton, Georgia was playing in his backyard with his 11-year-old neighbor.  The boys found a loaded, unlocked .22-caliber rifle in a shed at the home and began playing with it.  According to police, "At some point the rifle discharged, striking Oliver in the head."

Oliver was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah where he died of his injuries.

The sheriff is calling the shooting a "horrible tragedy."  "The initial investigation indicates that the shooting appears to have been accidental. We are not pointing fingers at anyone at this time at all, but with that being said, we would like to stress the importance of gun safety," he said.  "We ask and encourage everyone to keep weapons locked and away from children."

Man trying to cover-up unintentional shooting causes massive police search, business lockdowns

30-year-old Mario Walden was at the Baymont Inn & Suites motel in Brunswick, Georgia early Friday morning when he unintentionally shot himself in the leg with a handgun.  Walden told police he had been shot by a 5 foot 6 inch black male wearing a mask and a multicolored long sleeve shirt.

An estimated 20 uniformed officers plus detectives and a dozen special operations team officers responded to the shooting scene to search for a gunman who did not exist.

A nearby day-care center and other business were locked down while heavily armed officers conducted the search of the motel and surrounding area.

Police now believe Walden unintentionally shot himself and that a friend hid the gun for him so he wouldn't get in trouble for having it.

Walden was airlifted to a trauma center for treatment.  His condition has not been released.  Police are still investigating the incident and no charges have been filed.

Man unintentionally shot and killed while showing friend his gun

25-year-old Wael Ali was showing his friend, 63-year-old Raouf Sanad, his black semi-automatic handgun. The two where in the kitchen of the restaurant Sanad owns in Marietta, Georgia.

According to reports, Sanad pointed the handgun at Ali and pulled the trigger, thinking the safety was on. Ali was shot in the front of the neck and died of his injuries.

Sanad was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, pointing a gun at another person and reckless conduct.

A woman who was dining at a nearby bakery told reporters weapons shouldn't be in a public place. "Any time you have a weapon, you have the potential," she said.

Georgia law allows firearms to be carried into restaurants provided the owner does not prohibit it.

Woman playing golf hit by stray bullet

70-year-old Jane Pendergast was on the fifth hole of the Ocean Forest golf course in Sea Island, Georgia when she was hit by a stray bullet.
65-year-old Edward Johnson was shooting at squirrels on the course with his .22-caliber rifle when he unintentionally shot Pendergast.
Pendergast was shot in the abdomen. She was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition following surgery.
Johnson was been arrested and charged with reckless conduct.

12-year-old drops gun at gun range, unintentionally shoots two people

A 12-year-old Georgia girl was with three adults at the Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range. She fired an Easter Arms double barrel shotgun and was startled by the recoil. She dropped the gun, which then unintentionally discharged.
Paul and Christina Ponziani were about 10 yeards down range from the girl. Both were struck in the lower legs by the shotgun blast.
The couple was taken to the hospital for treatment. Christina had to be admitted.
According to the local sheriff, "The recoil was so much with her not being experienced to shoot a shotgun like that, it feel from her arms when she shot it." He does not plan to file any charges in the incident but added, "it's never a good idea to mix small children and guns."

Gun store employee unintentionally shot by another employee

A 58-year-old woman was working at Dawsonville Gun and Pawn shop in Dawsonville, Georgia when she was unintentionally shot in the leg by another employee.
According to the local sheriff, "One employee had attempted to try to break down a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic handgun that was brought in by a customer, during that time, the gun went off and struck another employee in the leg."
The woman was taken to the hospital in Gainesville for treatment where she is listed in stable condition.

Georgia man unintentionally shoots, kills wife

47-year-old Otis Hammock, of Dalton, Georgia was in his apartment with his wife, 47-year-old Tammie. He told police that Tammie was handing him his handgun when the gun unintentionally discharged, shooting Tammie in the head.
Tammie was rushed to the hospital where she later died of her injuries.
Police are investigating the incident and are working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. No arrest has been made and no charges have been filed.

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.

Unintentional shot inside van wounds 4-year-old

A mother and her four children were traveling on Highway 54 in Jonesboro, Georgia when the mother heard a pop in the backseat. According to police, "She looked back into the backseat and saw that her 4-year-old daughter was slumped over. She had been shot while she was in the car seat."
The woman pulled over and called 911. The girl, who was shot in the head, was airlifted to the children's hospital in Atlanta. Police said she was in critical condition.
Police found a gun inside the van but would not say if the girl shot herself of if she was shot by one of the other children inside the van.
The incident remains under investigation.

Indoor gun range customer unintentionally shot by another customer having a "problem" with his gun

A customer at the Trading Place Pawn Shop & Indoor Gun Range in Monroe, Georgia was standing at the counter filling out a form to use the indoor gun range when he was unintentionally shot by another customer.
The other customer came in with a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and was speaking with an employee about a problem he was having with the gun. According to police, the man "began to manipulate the slide on the weapon" when he discharged the gun. The bullet struck the victim in the right hip.
The victim had to be airlifted to the hospital where he is listed in serious but stable condition. He has already had two surgeries and faces a long recovery.
The customer who shot the gun has a valid concealed weapons permit.
The victim declined to pursue charges, believing the incident was an accident.

Man unintentionally shoots himself after leaving gun show in Georgia

25-year-old William Penfield, of Hinesville, Georgia, went to a gun show at the Savannah Civic Center. He told police that before he went into the gun show he unloaded his handgun and left it in his vehicle in the parking garage. After leaving the show he was in his car reloading the gun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon, shooting himself in the leg.
Penfield was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Just two months ago another man unintentionally shot himself after leaving a gun show at the same civic center. 26-year-old Charles Lake had just bought a handgun at the gun show and was in his car trying to load the gun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon, shooting himself in the leg. He was treated and released at a local hospital.

Organs from girl killed in unintentional shooting given to 6 children

13-year-old Ellie Kelly, of Harlem, Georgia was at a friend's house getting ready for a school dance. 14-year-old Zach Provance, who lived at the house, started showing off a .38-caliber handgun. Zach unintentionally discharged the gun and the bullet hit Ellie in the head, lodging in her brain.
According to the sheriff, Zach admitted that he shot the gun. "He was messing around with the gun. He thought it was cool; showing it off. It accidentally discharged. He explained that he was trying to release the hammer with his finger in front of it so he could ease it back down when it slipped off his finger and discharged."
Ellie was airlifted to Medical College of Georgia Hospital for treatment.
Zach was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. The police also found marijuana, two other handguns and a rifle inside the home. Zach's father, 54-year-old Richard Provance, was charged with manufacture and possession of drugs and possession of a gun during commission of a crime (drugs). Georgia does not have any Child Access Protection laws so Provance was not charged with leaving a loaded handgun where a minor could get hold of it nor was he charged in association with Ellie's shooting.
Doctors at Medical College told Ellie's mother, Cynthia Lowe, her daughter was alive, but her brain damage was extensive. "There was no surgery they could do to help her because her brain was swelling so fast," Lowe said.
Ellie had talked with her mother a year ago about organ donation. After hearing the story of an organ donation from a 14-year-old girl who had been shot, Ellie told her mother "if anything ever happened she would want someone else to live on, because there would be no reason burying something that another child could use," said her mother.
Ellie's lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and heart went to six different children. Lowe is comforted knowing the organs saved other children's lives. "I'm hoping and praying it does," she said. "Them being children, they still have a whole life ahead of therm. And I feel like part of Ellie is going to continue to live."