Man unintentionally shoots himself at traffic safety checkpoint

The Mississippi Highway Patrol report that a man unintentionally shot himself while stopped at a traffic safety checkpoint in Pontotoc, Mississippi.

The Highway Patrol had set up a roadblock on Highway 342 Saturday night.  A man who was stopped by the roadblock had a handgun stuck down next to the seat of the car.  The man tried to push the gun farther down under the seat and unintentionally discharged the weapon.

The bullet struck him in the arm, continued through his arm, hit the side of his face and exited through his ear.  He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Troopers have not released the man's name or his condition.  The incident is still being investigated and no charges have been filed.

6-year-old unintentionally shot in the head by 16-year-old relative dies

6-year-old Jamerica Ragsdale was staying with her family at her grandmother's house west of Vicksburg, Mississippi. A 16-year-old relative was in an adjacent bedroom handling a .22 caliber pistol when he unintentionally discharged the weapon.

The bullet went through the wall of the bedroom into the living room where Jamerica was standing and struck her in the head.

Jamerica was taken to the hospital where she was put on life support. She died two days later.

The young man is being detained in a youth detention center, charged with possession of a handgun by a minor. Investigators are looking into where the gun came from.

Family members said the teen is showing great remorse and that this awful accident is crushing the family emotionally.

Thinking someone breaking into his home, man gets his gun, shoots himself in the foot

A Natchez, Mississippi man was awakened by a loud sound. Thinking someone was trying to break into his home be grabbed his .357 Magnum handgun, cocked the gun, and went to investigate. According to police, as the man approached the kitchen he could still hear a noise and became nervous and unintentionally discharged the gun. He shot himself in the right foot near his pinkie toe.
The man was able to drive himself to the hospital. His condition has not been released.

Man unintentionally shot trying to capture a hog for roasting

50-year-old Reginald Williams and his friend 30-year-old Jason Letort were at Williams' hog pen in Vancleave, Mississippi, rounding up a hog to roast. Letort shot the hog with a .22-caliber rifle, but he only injured the animal. The hog took off running and escaped out of the pen. The men followed, trying to trap the wounded hog. That's when the hog charged Letort. He fired another shot at the hog and the bullet ricocheted, hitting Williams in the chest. Williams was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
The Sheriff ruled the shooting an accident. When asked about the wounded animal he replied, "I have no idea what happened to the hog. That was not my concern."
Ohh shoot.

Man lies to police about unintentional shooting, says burglar shot him

A Brandon, Mississippi man, identified only as Damien, was cleaning his .223 rifle when he unintentionally discharged the firearm, wounding himself in the shoulder. He ran outside and started shouting, "I've been shot." When police arrived he told them a burglar who was breaking into his home shot him.
"Supposedly, a guy busted in Damien's house with a black mask because Damien was selling some guns on Craigslist," said a neighbor. "The guy just busted the door, shot him and then ran off." The neighbor added, "I got my gun out, and it's sitting by the door - just in case something else happens, if they come looking for Damien again."
But after police transported Damien to the local hospital and began investigating the incident they quickly determined that things didn't add up. After more questioning, Damien admitted that it was an accidental shooting and that he shot himself. The injuries are not considered life-threatening and Damien might face charges of falsifying a report.
Ohh shoot.

Another woman named Walker trying to shoot pit bull also shoots and kills partner instead

Back in May an Indianapolis woman, Carolyn Walker, was trying to intervene in a dog fight when she tripped, unintentionally discharging the handgun she was carrying, and shot and killed her partner, 57-year-old Roosevelt Griffin.
This past weekend, Betty Walker, of Houston, Texas, was visiting her son in South Jackson, Mississippi when the neighbor's pit bull threatened some neighborhood children. According to news reports, Robert Walker, 53, picked up the pit bull after it lunged at some children. Meanwhile, his wife, Betty, went inside to retrieve a .38-caliber handgun. When she came out she fired two shots, the first shot hit her husband in the upper right chest while the other shot hit one of the front legs of the pit bull. Walker was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead two hours later.
News reports do not link the two women nor indicate if they are in any way related.
Ohh shoot.

11-year-old unintentionally shot and killed after a day of turtle hunting

11-year-old Christian Jordan, of Kiln, Mississippi, was returning from an outing with his father, Blue, and a 14-year-old friend. The three of them had been to a hunting camp where they spent the day shooting turtles in the backwater. They stopped to pick up some food on the way home and while Blue went inside the restaurant the two boys stayed in the car. The older boy was in the backseat and went to move a .22-caliber handgun when he unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet went through the seat and hit Christian in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital but died a short time later.
The District Attorney is investigating the incident and no charges have been filed. Mississippi law does not prohibit having a loaded gun in a vehicle.
Ohh shoot.

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.

14-year-old shoots friend while playing with a gun

A 14-year-old Mississippi girl unintentionally shot and killed her 14-year--old friend while playing with a gun. The boy died from a gunshot to the head.
Police are trying to determine how the girl got the gun. She was one of several teens at her house who had played with the gun. The girl's mother was not home because she was in jail.
Ohh shoot.