A 57-year old Hackensack, New Jersey man was placing his Smith & Wesson .45-caliber handgun on his nightstand as part of his preparation for bedtime when it accidentally fired.  The victim was struck in the abdomen. He remains in critical condition with severe internal injuries.

“We are doing our due diligence, as always, in investigating,” a Hackensack police Captain said, “but at this point, there is nothing that indicates any type of foul play. It appears to be an accident.”

Although the model of the man’s Smith & Wesson handguns is not available in published reports, it is noteworthy that some of Smith & Wesson’s .45 caliber pistols are subject to a “safety alert” due to a problem that may cause them to fire if dropped. According to Smith & Wesson’s alert as published on its website: “any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury, and we ask that you STOP USING YOUR PISTOL IMMEDIATELY UNTIL IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND, IF THE CONDITION IS FOUND, REPAIRED.” There is no way to know if the victim of this accidental shooting was aware of or had complied with Smith & Wesson’s “Safety Alert.” 

Source:

Jerry DeMarco, “Authorities: Hackensack Gun Owner Critical After Accidental Bedtime Shooting,” Hackensack Daily Voice (January 22, 2020).

Smith & Wesson, “Important Consumer Safety Alert and Inspection Procedure,” (August 22, 2013) (covering M&P Shield handguns manufactured prior to August 19, 2013).