Woman watching tv killed when stray bullet comes through window

 A 26-year-old Akron, Ohio woman was sitting on her couch, watching tv when a stray bullet came through the front window and hit her in the head. Her boyfriend discovered her lying in a pool of blood on the living room floor. She was taken to the local hospital where she was declared dead.

Police speculate that the shot may have been fired by someone celebrating the 4th of July. Two 9mm bullet casings were found on a dock across the lake from the house. 

The woman leaves behind two young daughters. 

Kentucky police officer unintentionally shoots self in elevator

Surveillance video captured an off-duty Kentucky police officer unintentionally shooting himself in an elevator in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The officer, Darryl Jouett of Erlanger, Kentucky, was in the elevator with his wife.

The video shows Jouett fumbling with a gun while holding a box.  The gun discharges and shoots him in his abdomen.  Jouett falls to his knees before stumbling out of the elevator and clutching a wall.

Jouett was taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. He was kept overnight and released the next morning.

Jouett is a 25-year veteran of the police force.

3 incidents this week of toddlers finding loaded guns and shooting someone

A 4-year-old boy in Lorain, Ohio found a loaded, unlocked .40-caliber handgun in a dresser drawer in his parents' bedroom. He and his 3-year-old sister were playing alone in the bedroom when the boy unintentionally shot his sister in the head. The girl is in critical condition in the hospital.

The father initially tried to make up a story about two men with hooded sweatshirts who shot at him and missed, shooting his daughter instead.  "He did make up a contrived story," said a police spokesperson. "I don't know if he was trying to protect the four year old or protect himself, if he's not allowed to have a handgun or not."

Prosecutors will decide if the father will be charged for lying to police and for not securing the gun.

In Houston, Texas, 20-year-old Patrick Sanders was sleeping on a couch when a loaded handgun fell out of his pants on to the floor.  A 3-year-old boy saw the gun and picked it up.  When Sanders tried to grab the gun away from the toddler, the boy unintentionally discharged the gun, shooting Sanders in the face.  Sanders is in critical condition in the hospital.

In Baltimore, Maryland a two toddler were playing in a bedroom when one of the children was "able to access a shotgun" and unintentionally shot a 3-year-old in the lower leg. The toddler is in the hospital but his condition has not been released.  Police said the loaded, unlocked gun was left in the toddler's bedroom and they are still trying to determine how this happened.

Man handling assault rifle fires bullet into neighbor's house

Jen Kurinky, of Bay Village, Ohio, was reading to her 3-year-old daughter, Ana, in her bedroom when she heard a bang that she thought was a limb falling on the roof. The next day, her father, Keir, discovered a bullet hole in Ana's bedroom closest.

"The cop said that if those two bullet fragments had hit Jen and Ada, they could have easily killed both of them," said Keir.

Police say the bullet came from next door, from inside the neighbor's house. They add that the bullet was homemade and the gun was an AR-15 assault rifle.

Police are pursuing misdemeanor charges against the 19-year-old gun owner. The chief said the teenager legally obtained the weapon and he had no other weapons.

Under federal law, those 18 and older can legally buy assault weapons provided they aren't prohibited from possessing firearms.

Kent State student unintentionally shoots himself, causes campus lockdown

24-year-old Quavaugntay Tyler is a freshman at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.  Wednesday night around 8 p.m. he got into an altercation with two female students near Bowman Hall.  According to officials, he was dating both women.

Tyler pulled a handgun out of his waistband and immediately unintentionally discharged the weapon.  He was shot in the left hand.

After the shooting, both women fled and Tyler asked a friend in one of the dorms to hide his backpack with the gun.  He then went to the hospital for treatment.

The campus went into lockdown after the shot was fired. KSU's notification system sent messages to students, staff and faculty. The lockdown wasn't lifted until 11 p.m.

Tyler told police he had the gun for protection.  He was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon on campus.

Dad who fired shot into air, unintentionally killing daughter, sentenced to jail

34-year-old Deandre Kelley, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was drunk when he showed up at the home of his longtime girlfriend on a January night.  Kelley and his girlfriend, Kristina Lanza, started arguing and Kelley pulled out a gun and fired two shots into the air.

One of the bullets hit their daughter, 11-year-old Shanti, who was hiding in  an upstairs bedroom.

Kelley did not realize the girl had been shot and left the home.  Emergency services were called to the house around 3 am when Shanti was found bleeding in the bedroom.  She had been shot in the chest and died of her injuries.

Kelley pleaded guilty to once count of reckless homicide.  He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Man thought shotgun was unloaded, critically injures 23-year-old friend

A 22-year-old man from Cleveland Heights, Ohio was with friends, looking at a shotgun that belonged to a 31-year-old Columbus man. Thinking the gun was unloaded, he pulled the trigger.

The shot hit a 23-year-old woman standing less than five feet away. The blast struck her in the stomach and chest, and buckshot struck her in the right bicep area, severely damaging her arm. She was taken to the local medical center for treatment and remains in critical condition.

According to reports, the gun's owner was showing off the gun earlier in the evening, when it was unloaded. At some point he loaded the gun and then the group went out to a local bar. They returned to the home and at about 12:20 a.m. the shooting occurred.

Police arrested both the gun's owner and the man who shot the gun on suspicion of felonious assault.

Couple out on a walk when husband drops gun, unintentionally shoots wife

54-year-old Constance Bayless, of Pitsburg, Ohio, was on a walk with her husband, James.  When James adjusted his pants as they walked a handgun dropped out of his pants.

When the gun hit the sidewalk it discharged.  The bullet struck Constance in the leg.

She was taken to the local hospital where she underwent surgery.  She was listed in stable condition.

The sheriff's office is investigating the incident.  They offered no information on the caliber of the gun but did note that James has a concealed carry permit for the weapon.

Man killed by secondhand gunfire

28-year-old Jonathan Gardner, of Columbus, Ohio was killed when a bullet came through the wall of his apartment and shot him in the chest.

Gardner was taken to the hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Police determined that an individual in the neighboring apartment unintentionally discharged a handgun and the bullet went through a wall, striking Gardner. The person has not been charged yet, but the Franklin County prosecutor is looking into the case.

A neighbor told reporters the shooting has put life in perspective for him. "It's made me realize, you know, he was only 28, he still had a full life ahead of him. Imagine all the things he could have done during his life that got cut short, just because this guy decided he was going to be negligent with a gun. It's made me realize life's too short to throw things away."

Gun safety instructor who unintentionally shot student was involved in another unintentional shooting in 1977

73-year-old Terry Dunlop, of Violet Township, Ohio, was teaching a gun safety class recently when he unintentionally discharged a .38-caliber handgun he was using as part of the class demonstration. The bullet ricocheted off a desk and struck one of the students.
When Cathy Schmelzer read about the shooting her first thought was, "Oh no, he's done it again!"
In 1977, when Cathy was 14, she was unintentionally shot by Dunlop during a Halloween hayride.
According to a newspaper article at the time, Dunlap said he had fired his .38-caliber handgun into the air to create a "scary effect" while taking his daughter and her friends for a "haunted hayride" on his property. He said he thought the gun was loaded with blanks.
The bullet ricocheted and hit Cathy in the right leg. She required surgery to remove the bullet.
Dunlap wasn't charged with negligent discharge or any other charges because the shooting was deemed "accidental."
The student who was recently shot in Dunlop's class said the class was "very informative, very well laid out." And added that he "learned a lot. Then again, I was accidentally shot."

Gun safety instructor unintentionally shoots student

73-year-old Terry Dunlop, of Violet Township, Ohio, was teaching a gun safety class for students interested in getting a concealed weapons permit. Dunlap runs a shooting range and training center, teaches in the law enforcement training program through the Eastland Career Center, recertifies law enforcement officials in Firearms Certification, and schedules and instructs many local Conceal Carry certification classes.
Yet somehow Dunlop did not realize the .38-caliber handgun he was using as part of the class demonstration was loaded.
Dunlop unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet ricocheted off a desk and struck one of the students, Michael Piemonte, in the right arm.
Piemonte was taken to the hospital for treatment and released later that night.
"I am thankful that it only ended up being in my arm," he said. "And didn't hit my wife or individuals sitting at the desk behind me."
No charges have been filed. The sheriff's office called it an "accidental shooting."

Woman unintentionally shoots and kills her best friend at birthday party

19-year-old Lakeisha Bell, of Warren, Ohio, was celebrating her birthday with friends, including her best friend, 18-year-old McKayla Hopkins. According to witnesses, someone brought a gun to the party and was showing it to people at the party.
When Lakeisha was holding the gun she unintentionally discharged the weapon, shooting McKayla in the torso. McKayla died of her injuries.
Relatives of Lakeisha said the shooting was an accident. "They loved each other. This is sad for both of them, both of their families. It hurts all of us that this happened. It was a nice party. It wasn't like there was any fighting or arguing or anything going on. It really was an accident."
Lakeisha has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Before he dies, man tells police shooting was unintentional

26-year-old John Fisk Jr., of Columbus, Ohio had been out drinking with two friends when the trio went to an apartment to look at some guns. At about 2:30 a.m. one of the men was looking at a M-1 Garand Rifle. He didn't know the gun was loaded and pulled the trigger.
The weapon discharged and John was shot in the upper arm. He was taken to the hospital but died of his injuries about three hours later. Before he died, John told the responding officers and medical personnel that the shooting was unintentional.
No charges have been filed and the case has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office for review.

Man unintentionally shoots himself while target shooting

Dan Gray, of Springfield, Ohio was target shooting with several friends Saturday. As Gray was preparing to shoot he unintentionally discharged the .357 handgun he was holding.
The gun was pointed at his feet and he was shot in the right foot causing serious, but not life-threatening, injury. He was taken to the hospital in Springfield for treatment.
Police said that no charges have been filed because the shooting is believed to be an unintentional, self-inflicted discharge. Alcohol was not involved.

Security guard's gun unintentionally discharges during scuffle, shoots woman in the head

41-year-old Gary Williams, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, has been a bailiff with the Cleveland Municipal Court since 1997. He also works as a security guard at the Cleveland Heights International House of Pancakes.
Early Saturday morning, about 3 a.m., a group of four women starting acting up inside the restaurant. Williams was escorting them out of the restaurant when a scuffle ensued.
According to police reports, Williams was knocked to the ground and when he fell his gun discharged. 25-year-old Nadia Williams was shot in the head. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The three women she was with have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, inciting to violence, vandalism and robbery. The security guard has not been charged.
The case is still under investigation.

Ohio woman caught in crossfire while walking home, dies

45-year-old Valetta Martin, of Cleveland, Ohio, was walking to her apartment when she got caught in the crossfire between two men shooting at each other. Valetta, who had celebrated her birthday the day before, was shot in the chest. She was taken to the local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to a neighbor, "I never looked out the window, I just took cover. It lasted for about 15 minutes. You hear shots around here all the time." Another neighbor said she heard gunshots about 10:40 and looked out the window and saw Valetta lying on the ground.
Valetta was the mother of five chilren. She also had four grandchildren. "Lala loved church, children, talking and laughing," said her sister.
Relatives said they were planning a surprise birthday party for Valetta but are now planning her funeral.

Man gives 3-year-old son rifle for Christmas present. A few months later, toddler unintentionally shoots and kills himself with handgun.

25-year-old Joshua Heagren, of Mount Vernon, Ohio has been found guilty of child endangering and negligent homicide in the death of his 3-year-old son, Lucas. In May, Lucas found a loaded, unlocked handgun in the living room couch. He unintentionally discharged the gun, shooting himself in the head. Lucas died of his injuries a few hours later.
According to the prosecutor, two photos of Heagren showing his son how to shoot a gun were crucial to the case. One photo was of Heagren showing Lucas how to shoot a .22 rifle he had given the boy for Christmas. The other was a photo of Lucas holding an assault rifle. Both photos had been posted on Facebook.
A doctor specializing in developmental and behavioral pediatrics testifying in the case said toddlers cannot understand the dangers of guns and it was inappropriate to simply say "Don't touch."
Heagren has not yet been sentenced.

5 people shot at 3 different gun shows on Gun Appreciation Day

A 36-year-old man from Wilmington, North Carolina wanted to sell a shotgun at a gun show at the North Carolina State Fairground in Raleigh. He had the gun in a case and was unfastening the case at the security table when the gun unintentionally discharged.
Three people were hit by the bird shot. A retired sheriff's deputy suffered an injury to his hand. He was treated and released from the local hospital.
A 54-year-old woman from Benson was being treated for a wound to her right torso and a 50-year-old man from Durham was treated for an injured left hand.
Police have banned any private gun sales for the remainder of the two day gun show. Only licensed firearms dealers will be able to sell guns. Police have also banned any private gun sales on the fairgrounds for the indefinite future.
54-year-old Emory Cozee was leaving a gun show in Indianapolis, Indiana. The gun show does not allow loaded guns inside, so he had unloaded his .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. He was reloading the gun while walking back to his car when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. Cozee was shot in the hand and taken to the local hospital for treatment.
A dealer at a gun show in Medina, Ohio was examining a semi-automatic handgun he had just bought when he unintentionally discharged the gun.
The bullet ricocheted off the floor and struck a man standing nearby in the leg and arm. The man was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Cleveland. His condition is unknown.
Police have not said if anyone will be charged in these incidents.
The shootings occurred on Gun Appreciation Day, a nationwide event organized by Political Media. Political Media is a political advertising agency dedicated to promoting right of center causes. They are a for profit corporation that is keeping a portion of Gun Appreciation Day contributions.

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.

Son buys gun for mother's protection. She unintentionally shoots him.

75-year-old Nellie McCallister, of Columbus, Ohio was worried about a local prowler known as the "Hilltop Creeper." So her son, a former Marine, bought her a .357 Magnum handgun for protection.
Nellie was showing the gun at a backyard gathering. She thought the gun was unloaded and unintentionally discharged the gun. The bullet hit her son in the leg.
Nellie's 14-year-old granddaughter told reporters that her grandmother cried all night after the shooting and said she will never again touch a gun.