Thursday, March 31, 2011

Couple wounded when gun unintentionally discharges during struggle, woman dies.

24-year-old Darine Vincent of Atlanta, Georgia didn't want her boyfriend to leave her house, so she pushed him to the ground and jumped on top of him. As the two were wrestling on the ground, a gun in the man's pocket discharged. The bullet went through the man's leg and into the Darine's chest.
The couple was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where Darine died of her injuries. The man is being treated for his injuries. Police have not released the man's name and his condition was not immediately available but police did say that charges are pending.
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Liquor store owner shot with her own gun during robbery

68-year-old Doreen Achuff was preparing to open her liquor store in Texas City, Texas when a man wearing black clothes, a ski mask and surgical gloves walked in. Doreen told police she thought she saw a weapon in the man's pocket so she pulled a gun from behind a counter. The two then struggled over Doreen's gun and the gun discharged, shooting Doreen in the leg.
The robber fled with about $2000 cash. Doreen was taken to the hospital where she is recovering. A store employee arrived shortly after the robbery. "I was in shock," he said. "I pulled up, and I saw the yellow tape. I'm the one who helps her open the store. If I got here earlier, I would have been there. It's scary to think about that."
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

10-year-old unintentionally shot by his father

A 10-year-old Delafield, Wisconsin boy was unintentionally shot by this father Sunday afternoon. Waukesha County Sheriff's Department say the father was cleaning a handgun when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet struck his 10-year-old son in the abdomen.
The boy was flown by Flight for Life to the Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa. He is recovering following surgery.
The Sheriff's Department said a second child, an 11-year-old boy, was also inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. They are not releasing the names of those involved.
Ohh shoot.

Monday, March 28, 2011

NBC executive shot dead, childhood friend charged with murder says it was an accident

Brian Kaplon and David Armstrong have been friends since 5th grade. Now, at age 32, their families are close as well. The two were together for a St. Patrick's Day party at Armstrong's home when something went terribly wrong.
Armstrong has a large gun collection and was showing off an AR-15 assault rifle when a round from the weapon discharged and struck Kaplon in the chest. Kaplon was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to police reports "both of the men were in the garage with a rifle when one man shot and killed the other man. There are not other witnesses. The other man made a statement that was taken into consideration before it was determined to be a homicide."
Armstrong's attorney maintains it was a tragic accident. "We will be able to demonstrate that this was a tragic accident between two best friends. There was no intent ever to harm his best friend. This was an accident based on two friends who were drinking and not following the proper safety precautions in the handling of the rifle."
In an interview with the Los Angles Times, Kaplon's father said Armstrong had several guns in his house and "because of one of those guns I had to bury my son yesterday."
Armstrong has been arrested and charged with murder. He has been released after raising $2 million in bail.
Ohh shoot.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Great-grandfather faces charges in unintentional shooting of 3-year-old

78-year-old John Stepp, of Redding, California, has been charged with "criminal storage of a firearm of the first degree" in connection with the February 23rd unintentional shooting of his 3-year-old great-grandson Grady. Stepp left a loaded, unlocked handgun next to the futon where he sleeps. During a visit from his great-grandchildren while the family was gathered in the kitchen, 3-year-old Grady wandered away from the table, into the room with the futon. He picked up the 9mm pistol, pointed the gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
Grady suffered damage to both sides of his brain. He is still in the hospital in fair and stable condition. Last week he had surgery to insert a temporary feeding tube into his stomach. Doctors also removed all tubes from his throat. His maternal grandfather noted, "He's looking at us, really recognizing his mom and sisters and dad."
The District Attorney noted that Stepp was charged with a misdemeanor, not a felony, because "He's not just a carefree, negligent individual. He takes precaution; one time in his life he slipped up. When you're dealing with guns, you can't slip up."
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Man unintentionally shoots himself while trying out new holster

A man walked into a Bass Pro Shop in Bricktown, Oklahoma and purchased a holster for his handgun. After leaving the store he sat in his car, trying out the new holster. While he was attempting to remove his gun from the holster he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet hit him in the arm and leg.
He was taken to an area hospital for his injuries. Police are not releasing the man's name, nor is the man's condition immediately available.
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Man fighting with stepson unintentionally shoots and kills wife

59-year-old Gary Gillespie, of Garden City, South Carolina, was fighting with his stepson Saturday night when the gun he was holding unintentionally discharged, striking his wife. 53-year-old Cheryl Gillespie was shot once and pronounced dead at the scene. Gillespie was arrested shortly after the shooting and is charged with murder.
"Bingo and cigarettes, that was my mom," said Cheryl's son Zack. "She's always been there for me and us. She was nice to everyone."
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

73-year-old man unintentionally shoots self, wife while loading gun

73-year-old William Geiger of Warwick Township, Pennsylvania was loading a Smith & Wesson .357-caliber snub nose handgun when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet struck Geiger on his left hand and then hit his wife Mary, 72, on her right arm while she was sitting on the couch. The incident happened around 8 o'clock at night. The couple was taken to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Ohh shoot.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Man dies after unintentional shooting during target practice

Two friends were target shooting in Barton, New York when something went terribly wrong. 21-year-old Dustin Charles was shot when one of the men's guns unintentionally discharged. Police aren't saying which man was holding the gun.
There was no cell phone service in the area so Dustin's friend Christopher loaded him in car and went looking for help. He stopped at a nearby house and hollered for the homeowner, Sheila LaPlante, to dial 911. After calling for help Sheila said she went to the car to check Dustin's pulse but did not find one. The police and ambulance arrived and Dustin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ohh shoot.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

6-year-old hit by ricocheted bullet while father shooting squirrels

25-year-old William Baker was shooting squirrels in his backyard in Hollansburg, Ohio. A bullet from the small caliber rifle ricocheted and struck Baker's 6-year-old daughter, Fayth, in the abdomen. Fayth was taken to the Children's Medical Center in Dayton where she is recovery from surgery.
According to deputies, it is likely no charges will be filed in the case. The incident remains under investigation.
Ohh shoot.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Florida father will go to jail for daughter's unintentional shooting

A father in Jacksonville, Florida will go to jail for 90 days after pleading guilty to culpable negligence for his 6-year-old daughter's unintentional shooting two months ago. 32-year-old Donnell Burney was cleaning a .380-caliber handgun. He left the gun unattended when his daughter, Donesha, picked up the gun and shot herself in the chest. Donesha is expected to make a full recovery.
Burney is also sentenced to five years probation and is barred from owning firearms.
Ohh shoot.

Woman hit by stray bullet while gardening dies

86-year-old Oletha Garret of Clyde, Texas was enjoying the weather on Sunday, working in her garden, when she was stuck in the hip by a stray bullet. She went through nine hours of surgery and was in the intensive care unit of Hendrick Medical Center before she succumbed to her injuries and died last night.
Oletha always said she wanted to live to be 100. Her daughters just want to warn people about the danger in the area.
According to the local sheriff, "It's not uncommon for people in the area to have target practice on their land. But their land is not big enough to contain the bullets. It's quite possible whoever fired the shot has no idea they actually struck someone."
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Trooper unintentionally shot during gun inspection

Trooper Mellow Scheetz, a Florida Highway Patrol firearms instructor was unintentionally shot at the Belle Glade Correctional Training Facility in Belle Grade, Florida. Scheetz was shot when a supervisor was inspecting a weapon and unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet struck Scheetz in the buttock.
She was airlifted to Delray Beach hospital where she was treated and released.
The supervisor, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave.
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

20-year-old unintentionally shoots and kills 19-year-old girlfriend

20-year-old Ryan Fantasia of Chicago Heights, Illinois was trying to assemble a gun when he unintentionally shot and killed his girlfriend, 19-year-old Hayley Pelock. The police describe the incident as follows:
"What happened was, the victim [Hayley] just came back from school and went to visit her boyfriend [Ryan]. The boyfriend was on the bed allegedly trying to make and put together his gun that he had purchased. He was trying to be a gun guy, so to speak. As it was jamming on him he drew the slide back and it discharged. Unfortunately, his girlfriend was standing in the doorway, which was a couple of feet away, and it struck her in the abdomen area on the right side.
Ryan was charged with felony obstructing because, according to police, "the gun was hidden in the backyard and he lied at first to us. There was no first-degree murder charge. The State's Attorney's office is ruling it as an accidental death."
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Two by-standers injured in shooting

On Sunday, Derrick Smith of Cross, South Carolina got into an argument with a resident at 1234 Spiers Landing Road. At some point Smith decided to pull out a gun and start shooting. Two innocent by-standers were wounded in the shooting. Neither of the people were the intended victim. And the intended victim was unharmed.
A woman wanted in connection with the double shooting turned herself in to authorities Sunday night. Smith was arrested Monday afternoon following a traffic stop on Highway 45.
Police are not releasing the names of the people who were shot. They are both recovering from non-life threatening wounds after being taken to a local hospital.
Ohh shoot.

Monday, March 14, 2011

23-year-old son unintentionally shoots his mother with a handgun

A 23-year-old Owatonna, Minnesota man was handling a handgun when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet struck his 59-year-old mother, Dixie Williams, in the leg. Dixie has been hospitalized for her injuries.
Her son was taken into police custody and is being held on probably cause for reckless discharge of a firearm. Police are trying to "figure out what he was doing to make that firearm go off."
Dixie assured news reporters that the shooting was accidental.
Ohh shoot.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Man unintentionally shoots and kills himself in concealed carry permit class

63-year-old Glenn Seymour was taking a class to obtain a permit to carry a loaded, concealed gun in public. The class was being held at the Shootin' Iron gun shop in Vanzant, Missouri. According to news reports, "Students were working on an exercise in which they pull a concealed weapon with their non-dominant hand, take the safety off, aim and shoot."
Seymour was trying to use his left hand when the gun got turned around and he unintentionally shot himself in the chest. He died of his injuries.
State law requires that concealed weapons classes teach safe handling of a firearm, safe cleaning methods, safe gun storage, and that students demonstrate proficiency with a handgun through target shooting. There is no requirement to practice drawing and shooting with a non-dominant hand. This is an exercise that is taught in police training, which may explain why it was being taught in this class.
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Man target practicing in backyard shoots neighbor. Charges to be filed.

Last August, 76-year-old Peter Damone of Bridport, Vermont was standing on his back porch, grilling and talking on his cell phone when he suddenly felt a burning sensation, then a kick to his jaw that sent him sprawling. Peter had been hit by a round fired from a .45-caliber pistol. 36-year-old Tracy Stone was target practicing in his backyard and a bullet had traveled almost half a mile, striking Peter in the face.
Peter was lucky to have survived the incident. The bullet severed an artery leading to his tongue and lodged in his neck. He was in a coma for six days and has undergone numerous operations to piece his jaw back together. He has been fitted with a metal brace on his face to hold the bone fragments in place and is unable to chew solid food. His diet has consisted of soups and solids that have been minced or put through a blender.
The shooting has also taken a financial tool on Peter and his wife.  The couple is retired, living on Social Security and a small annuity.  Peter has been unable to continue with his occasional barn restoration projects.  He has had extensive medical bills, including the cost of replacing his upper teeth.  He has no dental coverage.
This week the Addison County state's attorney directed the state police to process Stone on charges of reckless endangerment and simple assault. Stone is scheduled to appear in court April 11.
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Unintentional shot severs man's femoral artery and vein

21-year-old Marcus Lorimor of Fremont County, Iowa was disassembling a handgun when the gun discharged. The bullet hit him in the thigh, severing his femoral artery and vein. Rescuers found Marcus in his driveway. He was flown to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition. He is expected to survive.
"He's lucky he didn't bleed to death," said the county sheriff.
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Parents trained 14-year-old to use gun in emergencies but instead he unintentionally shoots his sister

The Chester County, Pennsylvania District Attorney announced this week that he has decided not to file any charges in the shooting death of 11-year-old Katherine Urban last December.
"Katherine was killed as a result of an accidental shooting by her 14-year-old brother," said the D.A., "Although the exact circumstances under which that shooting took place are a little unclear, the accidental nature of the shooting is not."
According to the D.A., Katherine's parents had trained the 14-year-old to use the handgun in emergencies. "While the boy's father had instructed the child on how to use the firearm properly the parents did not intend for the boy to use the firearm in his father's absence, nor did they tell the boy where the gun was located," he said, "Instead, the child found it on his own."
The gun was kept, loaded and unlocked, in a drawer in the parents' bedroom, inside a cigar box, covered with clothing.
The D.A. added that "this child is simply fascinated by guns" and that the parents were aware their son had a fascination with guns and should have anticipated possible danger.
Ohh shoot.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Police say man who claims he was shot outside of a bar actually unintentionally shot himself

29-year-old Isacc Grell of Omaha, Nebraska told police he was in his vehicle in a parking lot outside of a bar Friday night when an unknown man came up and shot him. But police are now saying that Grell apparently shot himself. Grell was shot in the leg and went back to the bar to ask for help. He was taken to the local hospital where he is listed in serious condition, though his injuries are not life threatening.
Police say Grell was intoxicated and uncooperative when asked for additional details about what happened. They are treating this as an accidental, self-inflicted shooting with a shotgun.
Ohh shoot.

Friday, March 4, 2011

6-year-old finds gun, shoots man in the neck

A 6-year-old boy was looking through a drawer in a home in Apple Valley, California. He found a loaded handgun. The boy shot the gun twice. One of the bullets when through the wall, into a couch in the next room and struck a man who was lying there in the neck. The bullet went trough the back of his neck and exited through the front, and continued on through another closet wall. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. He is expected to recover.
Police arrested the owner of the gun, 21-year-old Jayquan Crittenden, and charged him with child endangerment and negligent storage of a firearm. The relationship between Crittenden and the child is unclear.
Ohh shoot.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Toddler who shot himself paralyzed. Girl who hid gun and lied to police sent to group home.

Last year, in early September, a .40-caliber Glock handgun was stolen from the glove compartment of a federal law enforcement officer's car outside his home in Keedysville, Maryland. Three weeks later the gun turned up under a bed in an apartment in Hagerstown. Court documents filed by police don't say if the car and the glove compartment were locked or how the gun ended up in Hagerstown.
2-year-old Mario Longus found the handgun and unintentionally shot himself in the chest. Police arrested Longus' 16-year-old brother, Marcus, and his girlfriend, Fantasia Rivera. They were charged with obstructing police, false statements to police, possession of a firearm by a minor, and possession of a stolen handgun.
After the shooting, Fantasia took the handgun outside and hid it in a playground. This week, a judge ordered the girl be placed in a group home. "Ms. Rivera does suffer a problem with maturity," the State's Assistant Attorney stated.
Mario was initially treated at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. His injuries have left him paralyzed from the stomach down. He now lives in a licensed therapeutic foster home.
His older brother, Marcus, is awaiting trial in April.
Ohh shoot.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Man cleaning handgun unintentionally shoots himself and his friend

22-year-old Adan Mascorro, of Redwood, Texas was cleaning his .22-caliber handgun when the gun unintentionally discharged. The bullet struck Adan in the hand and continued on and struck his friend, Bernardo Samangio, who was standing nearby. Bernardo was hit in the chest. The pair drove to the medical center in San Marcos. Bernardo needed to be transported by helicopter to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. He remains in the hospital but is hoping to be released sometime this week.
Ohh shoot.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Father drops gun, shoots daughter in head

Friday night the Byler family of Goshen, Indiana was playing outside in the snow. The parents and their two daughters, ages 7 and 10, headed inside. As Jay Byler was bent down, helping his daughters take off their boots, his handgun fell out of his coat pocket. The gun discharged when it hit the floor and the bullet struck 7-year-old Karlee in the head. Karlee died of her injuries.
Karlee was a first grader at West Goshen Elementary School. The school brought in counselors Monday to help Karlee's class understand the loss.
The Elkhart County coroner conducted an autopsy and ruled her death an accident.
According to news accounts Jay Byler has a concealed weapons permit. He had taken the gun out of his truck when he got home from work in order to bring the gun inside the house and it was still in his coat pocket when the tragedy occurred.