A man claiming that he fired his gun in the air to stop a knife fight in Columbus, Ohio, accidentally shot an eight-year old girl.  The girl was later found by police lying in the park in critical condition with a gunshot wound that required surgery. However, she is expected to survive.

 28-year old Torrance Ahart was arrested and charged with felonious assault. Ahart claimed that  he had fired the handgun in the air after his sister was cut in the fight and was initially unaware that the 8-year-old was hit by a bullet. Ahart told police he provided aid to the girl after he learned that she was shot.

In Concord Township, Ohio, a 62-year old man accidentally shot a 24-year old relative while showing him a newly purchased gun.  The 62-year-old “failed to make sure the firearm was unloaded and pulled the trigger,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. The injured man was shot in the foot and is expected to survive.

Sources:

“Records: Man Says He Fired Gun at Weinland Park to Stop Dispute; 8-year-old Girl Hit by Bullet,”  10tv.com (May 15, 2022).

Avery Williams, “Man Accidentally Shoots Relative While Showing Off New Gun, Lake County Sheriff Says,”  cleveland19.com (May 16, 2022).