One Dead, Two Injured in Accidental Shootings; Coach Fired After Dropped Gun Fires During Youth Basketball Game

In Shreveport, Louisiana, a teen in the backseat of a car fatally shot the front seat passenger. There were four males in the car. A 16-year-old was in the back handling an AR-style pistol that unintentionally fired, hitting 18-year-old Joshua Simmons in the back. The teen was charged with manslaughter.

Two teenagers in St. Louis, Missouri, were hurt when one of them accidentally fired a gun, injuring them both. A 16-year-old was holding the gun and pulled the trigger. He shot himself in the finger, and the same bullet hit the 17-year-old in the forearm. They were both taken to the hospital in stable condition.

During a youth basketball game, in Gastonia, North Carolina, a gun in the pocket of a coach just watching the game, fell out and unintentionally fired. A parent said the shot was fired near the players’ bench, though no one was injured. Police seized the gun and charged 45-year-old Wallace Montgomery with weapons law violations. The city fired Montgomery as a coach, and in a statement said that he “…has been suspended from facilities until our investigation is complete. Pending the outcome, further action may be taken.”

Sources:

Brittney Hazelton, “Man Dies After Gun Discharges; Teen Arrested,” ksla.com (January 18, 2024).

“Two Teens Struck in Accidental Shooting in St. Louis’ Carondelet Neighborhood,” stltoday.com (January 18, 2024).

Ken Lemon, “Spectator Accidentally Discharges Gun During Youth Basketball Game in Gastonia,” wsoctv.com (January 18, 2024).

“Coach Fired After Gun Accidentally Fires During Youth Basketball Game,” wsoctv.com (January 20, 2024).