WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

In a variety of jurisdictions across the country today, accidental gunshot wounds sent people to the hospital, where staff are already struggling to find sufficient resources to manage the coronavirus epidemic. Among the accidents was one in Ormond Beach, Florida, where a 22-year old man was shot in the leg when a .22 caliber rifle fell from the bed of his truck and discharged. The man was shooting at cans at the time.

In Pennfield, Michigan, a 66-year old man was adjusting a gun in his waistband when it discharged, resulting in self-inflicted injuries. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

A 24-year old was handling a short-barrel shotgun in Madison, Wisconsin, when it accidentally discharged. After treatment by a police officer, the man was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Charges of “endangering safety by reckless use of a weapon” are expected when the man is released.

Finally, in Phoenix, Arizona, a woman was shot when a bullet passed through her apartment wall. She was also hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Police are investigating.

There were no reports today of coronavirus-related civic unrest of the type used by the NRA to encourage Americans to go out and buy guns.

Sources:

Patricio G. Balona, “Deputies: Man Shooting Cans Near Ormond Shot in Leg,” Florida Headline News (Daytona Beach) (March 26, 2020).

“Calhoun Co. Deputies Investigate Accidental Shooting in Pennfield,” WBCK 95.3 (March 26, 2020).

Police Incident Report, “Incident Report for Case #2020-117387,” City of Madison Police Department (March 25, 2020).

“Woman Injured After Bullet Goes Through Apartment Wall in Phoenix,” ABC 15 Arizona (March 26, 2020).

Search by Category

From the Archives

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

On the 8th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, at least four children were killed or injured in gun accidents. Three of the incidents involved guns that were found by the children themselves or by other children. The fourth involved a child who was hit by a stray bullet while walking on the street.

In Cocoa, Florida, a two-year old boy was accidentally shot and killed in his home. According to witnesses, several teenage boys were at the home visiting a friend. A 15-year old was “actively displaying a firearm when it discharged,” police said. The toddler was struck when the gun fired. The teenagers were then seen running from the home.

Police are still attempting to find the 15-year old shooter. “We would certainly like the person who had the firearm to come forward,” a police spokesperson said. “If this was an accidental incident, there are ways to deal with that that we can mitigate.”

In Hartford, Connecticut, an eight-year old found a gun and shot himself. He is in critical but stable condition. According to police, “other people were in the home at the time of the incident, but that the child was alone in a room with the firearm.”

In Atlanta, Georgia, a 12-year old boy is in stable condition after an accidental shooting. According to police, “a 12-year-old boy and his 14-year-old brother found a pistol on Sunday. The two boys were playing with the gun and accidentally fired it -- injuring the 12-year-old.”

And in Washington, DC, a nine-year old girl who was walking with a relative near the Anacostia library was struck by a stray bullet. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Sources:

Daniel Dahm and James Sparvero, “2-year-old Shot to Death at Cocoa Home, Police Say,” ClickOrlando.com (December 14, 2020).

Alex Ceneviva, Eva Zymaris, “Hartford PD: 8-year-old in Critical Condition, ‘Appears he Accidentally Shot Himself,’” News 8 WTNH.com (December 14, 2020).

LaPorsche Thomas, “12-year-old Boy Finds Pistol, Accidentally Shoots Himself in SW Atlanta,” 11 Alive (December 15, 2020).

Nick Boykin, “Police: 9-year-old girl shot in Southeast near Anacostia Library,” WUSA 9 (December 15, 2020).

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Leave a Reply Cancel reply