Gun goes off in Altoona church during Easter Vigil mass
Police say a man accidentally shot himself in his hand at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
ALTOONA, Pa. (4-5-15) —Police say a gun went off at about 11 p.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Blair County.
Jason Wagler was sitting with his fiancee at Mass and heard the gunshot. "We were standing for a few minutes and just before the final procession started, the gunshot went off," Wagler said. Wagler said at first no one seemed to know what had happened. Some people thought a speaker blew. But then he saw smoke. Wagler took several photos with his phone shortly after the incident happened.
"I immediately took a step back and was about to take cover. You never know if you're safe anymore in this world. It's a shame to know you can't go into church without having something like this happen," Wagler said.
Police say a man had a gun in his pocket and it discharged when he stood up. The bullet grazed the man's hand. An Altoona newspaper reported the trigger caught on the man's pants and the gun's safety was not on.
"I noticed the gun was handed to another gentleman. He immediately concealed it in a white program, so I took pictures of the gun inside this program," Wagler said.
The man was taken to the hospital. Police haven't released his name.
It's unclear why he brought a gun into church. At this point, no charges have been filed.
http://www.wtae.com/news/gun-goes-off-in-altoona-church-during-mass/32202174
More information about a man whose gun went off in church
FLOWOOD, MS (Mississippi News Now) (11-25-13) It's a place of worship that turned scary for some Pinelake Church members on Sunday morning. It's the last place some expected to hear gunfire.
"They were actually having service and were singing hymnals," said Flowood Police Detective Sgt. Billy Tucker. "Mr. (Joseph Edgar) Ray had a 9MM in his front right pocket. When they got through singing he went to sit down and the gun accidentally discharged."
Flowood police were called to the church at 8:05 am about an accidental shooting. Where Ray and his handgun were taken into custody. He was later released.
Ray has a conceal carry permit, according to Flowood police. The permit would allow him to carry a gun inside a church. However, Pinelake prohibits guns on its property.
Under state law, the church could pursue a trespassing charge if it chooses. That doesn't appear likely but Ray will still have to go to court.
"We (Flowood police) went with what we felt like was appropriate at the time, to set a precedent, said Sgt. Tucker. "It was discharging a firearm in the city limits. It goes back to safety. If you are toting a weapon you need to be safe with it. You need to have it properly secured."
Police say Ray did not have the gun in a holster.
In order to get the enhanced permit, he did have to undergo hours of training.
Investigators say Ray is a long time member of the church and was not part of the security staff.
"When you get lax, that's when accidents happen," added Tucker. "Unfortunately there was an accident but fortunately no one was injured this time."
Pinelake did issue a statement, saying in part, this is a law enforcement and legal issue.
Some believe there is no problem with carrying a weapon but they are leery of them inside a house of worship.
"I think it's fine pretty much like everyday, I mean walking around or maybe driving," said Sabrina Thornton. "But as far as a church, I don't feel as though there is a need to carry a gun into a church. That's just me." Ray's first court appearance is January 9, 2014 in Flowood Municipal Court
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/24058379/man-discharges-gun-in-flowood-church
Accidental pistol discharge in Troy police station
Inmate treated after bullet hits police floor
Troy (3-3-15) A Rensselaer County transport officer's pistol accidentally fired Tuesday morning inside city police headquarters when inmates were moving to and from City Court, the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office said.
"He was attempting to put his weapon in the holster when it discharged," Sheriff Jack Mahar said.
The incident occurred at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday in an area near the police station sally port where transport officers store their weapons in lockers when they bring prisoners in to appear in Troy City Court on the second floor. The officers are not permitted to bring their weapons into the courtroom.
The bullet was fired into the floor, shattering pieces of the concrete floor, Mahar said.
An Albany County jail inmate said he was struck in the arm. Mahar said the inmate was treated at the scene by Troy firefighters and taken to Samaritan Hospital for additional examination.
The inmate, Daniel McCann, suffered an abrasion and was returned to Albany County jail where he was examined by the jail medical staff , Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said.
The transport officer, who was not identified, was relieved from transportation duty and assigned to work inside the Rensselaer County Jail until the investigation is completed.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/County-officer-s-pistol-goes-off-during-inmate-6113043.php
Pasadena Police: Officer accidentally discharges gun, colleague shot in leg
Pasadena (10-5-15) PASADENA >> The Pasadena Police department is conducting an internal investigation after an officer accidentally discharged a gun and shot a fellow officer in the leg Friday night, an official said Monday.
The department didn’t release the names of the two officers because it is a personnel matter.
The officer was placed on paid leave pending the result of the internal administrative investigation while the other officer is off duty due to the injury, according to Lt. Mark Goodman. He said the preliminary investigation reveals no crime occurred.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. Friday at a parking structure on Ramona Street between Garfield Avenue and Marengo Avenue.
Goodman said the two male officers were on duty at the time and were unloading items from the trunk of a police car.
He didn’t have details on how the shooting happened.
“One officer unintentionally discharged a gun,” Goodman said, adding that the round struck the other officer in the leg. He described the injury as “non-life threatening.”
The bullet went through the leg. The injured officer was taken to a hospital, treated and released, he said.
“No members of the public were present during the incident,” Goodman said.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/government-and-politics/20151005/pasadena-police-officer-accidentally-discharges-gun-colleague-shot-in-leg
Ocala police officer dies after accidental shooting at firearms training
Officer Jared Forsyth dies at hospital
OCALA, Fla. (4-7-15) - An Ocala police officer died Monday evening after he was accidentally shot during firearms training, the police department said.
Officer Jared Forsyth, 33, was shot once in the upper chest at the firing range at the Lowell Correctional Institution (see map) about 3 p.m., police said.
Forsyth was rushed to Ocala Regional Medical Center after the incident, and was taken into surgery, officials said.
"If you pray, please pray for my officer," Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham said. "He was funny. He had a true heart. I wish I had 100 like him."
Ocala police said officers were just wrapping up from the firearms course. An officer was unloading a 40 caliber Glock, semi-automatic gun when it discharged.
"The round ricocheted off a bench and struck another officer," Graham said.
Standing 25 to 30 feet away, according to Graham, the bullet entered Officer Forsyth's arm and into his chest.
Police said Forsyth flat lined several times on the way to hospital before succumbing to his injuries during surgery.
"It would be premature for me to say that we've done anything wrong necessarily," Graham said. "I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure something like this doesn't happen again."
Police have not named the second officer.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident, which is standard practice for all officer-involved shootings.
Forsyth had been with the department since April 2012. "He will be missed by all of his OPD family, and we will keep his family and loved ones in our prayers," the police department said in a statement.
The shooting was the first fatal officer-involved shooting in Ocala in over 60 years, officials said.
http://www.wesh.com/news/ocala-police-officer-in-critical-condition-after-accidental-shooting-at-firearms-training/32217774
POLICE OFFICER'S GUN ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED IN HADDON TOWNSHIP
Thursday, September 24, 2015
HADDON TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A police officer's gun accidentally discharged Thursday in Haddon Township.
It happened around 4:45 p.m. in the unit block of Utica Avenue. The incident involved two officers from the Audubon Police Department, police said. Investigators said one of the officer's service weapons was discharged in the driveway of a residence. No injuries were reported.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office is investigating.
http://6abc.com/news/police-officers-gun-accidentally-discharged-in-haddon-township/1000673/
Accidental shooting injures 2 Idaho police officers
Posted: Oct 22, 2015 10:27 AM EDT
Updated: Oct 22, 2015 12:16 PM EDT
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - Lewiston, Idaho, police say a gun accidentally fired in the department's basement at the end of a training session for the force's SWAT team, injuring the hands of two of the officers.
The Lewiston Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1W6fFbh ) the weapon fired Wednesday afternoon, and it's unclear if it happened while the gun was being cleaned or while bullets were being removed from its chamber.
Police Chief Chris Ankeny says the injuries appear to be minor. The department has initiated an internal investigation.
http://www.khq.com/story/30325726/accidental-shooting-injures-2-idaho-police-officers
VISALIA PD OFFICER'S GUN ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGES, FAMILY MEMBER HIT TULARE COUNTY
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- (3-4-15) Visalia police and the Tulare County Sheriff's Office are investigating an accidental shooting by a Visalia police officer.
Police say Officer Amerie Norman accidentally discharged a personal weapon while off-duty Monday night. The bullet went through the walls of her home and hit an adult female family member. That woman is expected to be ok. Visalia police say they don't know what led up to the weapon going off.
Sgt. Damon Maurice with the Visalia Police Department said, "At this point we're not sure exactly what the circumstances were or why the weapon was out. We have asked the Tulare County Sheriff's Office to do their investigation to find those answers for us."
Officer Norman has been with the Visalia Police Department for five years. She is on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
http://abc30.com/news/visalia-pd-officers-gun-accidentally-discharges-family-member-hit/544398/
Teen accidentally shot by off-duty officer, police say
Incident happened at Woodridge apartment complex
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (2-10-15)—A 14-year-old boy was shot Monday night by an off-duty Baltimore County police officer working security at an apartment complex in Randallstown, police said
The shooting was accidental, and the teen suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
"There was one shot fired. He received injury to the shoulder area. He was taken to an area hospital, where he is expected to survive. Injuries are not life threatening," Baltimore County Police Cpl. John Wachter said.
Two off-duty officers were working security at the Woodridge apartment complex in the 9600 block of Southall Road shortly before 6 p.m. when a manager told them about people in a vacant apartment under construction, officials said.
"This particular building had been the scene of a previous fire and they were in the process of putting things back together," Wachter said.
The officers saw and heard movement inside the apartment, and the teen came out onto a balcony, police said. An off-duty officer told investigators he was pointing his gun toward the balcony when it accidentally went off.
The shot came from a gun privately owned by the officer and approved by the police department for him to carry. Baltimore County police said it was an accidental discharge.
Apparently the off duty officers saw movement inside the building. Police said one of them was on the front steps. He didn't have a flashlight. His hand was on his gun, but the weapon remained in its holster. The officer involved in the shooting was on a muddy hill with a flashlight in one hand and his gun in the other. Investigators said he told an on-duty officer that the weapon fired.
"He accidentally discharged his weapon when someone came out of a sliding glass door on the second floor apartment onto the balcony," Wachter said.
After being shot, police said the teen ran to the 9600 block of Button Buck Circle where a 911 call was placed from his home. He was found and taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
"This particular incident is very unusual. We do have accidental discharges. As part of our investigation, we're looking into exactly what happened, how fast everything happened inside of the apartment complex and what caused the accidental discharge," Wachter said.
The off-duty officer will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is being conducted by the department's homicide unit, police said.
Police don't know why the 14-year-old and two other teens were inside the vacant building. Findings from their investigation into the accidental shooting will go to the state's attorney for possible charges.
WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Barry Simms contributed to this story.
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/teen-accidentally-shot-by-offduty-officer-working-security-police-say/31186838
Officer accidentally fires gun inside Chicago police station
Central District (2-18-14) Prisoners at a police station in the south loop had to be transferred to another facility after an officer accidentally fired his gun inside the station.
It happened Monday night in the Central district station at 18th and State Streets.
The bullet hit the first floor ceiling, damaging a water pipe which then poured onto computers and desks. No one was injured.
Police say the sergeant whose weapon discharged will likely face discipline within the department.
Water to the building was shut off overnight while repairs were made.
http://wgntv.com/2014/02/18/officer-accidentally-fires-gun-inside-chicago-police-station/
Gun Discharges, Man Injured Accidentally (this one I'd missed)
SAVANNAH, GA (10-14-15) Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes detectives are working to determine how Alfonso Walker, 70, was injured after a gun discharged at a lounge on 36th Street and Waters Avenue at about 8:55 p.m. Tuesday.
Metro responded to Candler Hospital where Walker, arrived in a privately owned vehicle seeking care of a non-life-threatening injury.
The preliminary investigation shows a firearm carried by another guest at the lounge fell to the ground and discharged. The person in possession of the gun fled the area.
Investigators are working to determine whether Walker was grazed by a bullet or shrapnel. Detectives believe this incident was unintentional.
Anyone with information on this case should call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124
http://scmpd.org/gun-discharges-man-injured-accidentally/
Firearm discharges on city playground; weapon belonged to off-duty officer
WEBB CITY, Mo. (3-11-15) - The Webb City Police Department is investigating the accidental discharge of a firearm involving an off-duty Webb City City police officer in a city park over the weekend.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to the playground at King Jack Park in reference to the accidental discharge of a firearm. While at the park with his family, an off-duty Webb City police officer had to climb onto the playground equipment to help his small child who became distressed at the top of a slide. At some point, the officer lost his off-duty firearm out of his concealed carry holster.
Before he could reclaim the firearm, a 6-year old boy had picked up and discharged the firearm. The bullet struck a slide. No one was injured, according to Webb City Police Chief Carl Francis.
The Webb City Police Department’s Internal Affairs division is investigating this incident and will make a recommendation for disciplinary action
http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/crime_and_courts/firearm-discharges-on-city-playground-weapon-belonged-to-off-duty/article_f4e729e2-f7ed-11e4-bda3-4f7685328c61.html
2 Abilene gun shop workers injured in accidental shooting
ABILENE, Texas (6-8-15) Two employees were shot just before 11:30 a.m. Monday at a north Abilene gun store. Police said it appeared to be an accident.
The single gunshot went off inside the store in the 3600 block of North 6th Street.
“Somebody could have lost their life over something that could have been avoided,” said Patrick Cowen, owner of The Shootin’ Shop. Cowen said the customer should have unloaded his .22 caliber handgun first. “I mean it was a pretty scary experience, you know, but it was an accident,” Cowan said. “The customer feels absolutely terrible about it.”
Cowan said the customer brought the gun to the store because it wasn't working properly. After he handed it over to an employee, the gun discharged. Two employees were hit. One employee was hit in the hand. The other employee was hit in the abdomen.
“One shot fired that hit two people,” said Sgt. Lynn Beard, an Abilene Police Department spokesman. “Went through the hand of the person holding the gun and hit another employee standing nearby.” Those two employees were taken to Hendrick Medical Center. Police say no charges have been filed.
“We have recovered already a surveillance video of the incident,” Beard said. “It does appear to be an accident.” The business remained closed the rest of Monday.
Cowan offered advice for gun owners. “Unload your firearms before you take them into a building,” Cowan said. “You know, especially if you're going to have a shop look at it.”
The owner of the gun called KTXS after this story aired on KTXS News at 5. He said he bought the gun Monday morning and loaded it in the parking lot. He said it jammed so he put the gun back in the gun safe and the box it came in before bringing it back into the store. He said that's when an employee opened the gun safe and accidentally fired the weapon.
http://www.ktxs.com/news/police-2-accidentally-shot-at-abilene-gun-shop2/33462872
Police cadet accidentally shoots fellow cadet at Fresno training center
(4-20-15) A Fresno police cadet was accidentally shot by another cadet Monday afternoon during the first day of weapons training at the police department’s gun range.
A Fresno police cadet was accidentally shot by another cadet Monday afternoon during the first day of weapons training at the police department’s gun range.
Fresno police Chief Jerry Dyer said the accident happened shortly before 5 p.m. as cadets were finishing the day’s training with the Fresno City College Police Academy at the gun range southwest of Fresno, near West Hayes and South Central avenues and south of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Cadets were cleaning their guns when one cadet, whose identity was not released, accidentally fired a round at the victim’s pelvic area. The cadet who fired the gun is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency, Dyer said.
The victim, who Dyer described as “sharp” and in his early 20s, was transported to Community Regional Medical Center. The cadet is in stable condition and was awaiting X-rays Monday evening to see if surgery was needed.
Dyer said the gun range is operated and organized by the State Center Community College District and features cadets who are either going through the training as employees of various law enforcement agencies or through the college district in hopes of landing a job afterward.
Monday marked the first time this year’s cadets, who enrolled in the training program in January, practiced using firearms. The program, Dyer said, lasts through June. Seven cadets have already been hired by the Fresno Police Department.
The victim has been with the Fresno Police Department for about a year. The gun discharge is believed to be accidental, Dyer said, but the department and the college district will conduct a joint investigation. The cadet who fired the weapon will be disciplined by the college district.
Dyer said incidents like these are rare: Monday marked the first accidental shooting involving a Fresno police employee in 35 years, he said.
“We’re very fortunate today there weren’t any serious injuries,” Dyer said. “It’s unfortunate that we had an accidental discharge with a cadet, but we’re very fortunate that the round did not cause any more of an injury than it did.”
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article19667256.html
Investigation Underway Following Accidental Discharge of Officer’s Gun in Pacoima
(5-6-15) Authorities were investigating the accidental discharge of an officer’s gun in Pacoima Wednesday morning.
The incident took place near the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and De Foe Avenue (map), the Los Angeles Police Department’s media relations department confirmed.
Aerial video from Sky5 showed at least six patrol cars parked in front of a home on Van Nuys Boulevard just before 8 a.m.
A man who appeared to be in handcuffs was placed into the back of one of the patrol vehicles, the video showed. It was unclear why officers were initially called to the location but at some point during the investigation an officer’s weapon was accidentally discharged, according media relations.
Authorities did not say what caused the weapon to be discharged, but the incident was under investigation. There was no word on whether anyone was injured when the gun fired.
Aerial video did not show any emergency vehicles at the location.
http://ktla.com/2015/05/06/investigation-underway-following-accidental-shooting-by-officer-in-pacoima/
Officer shot by accidental discharge, taken to hospital
WESTTOWN Pa. (2-2-15) An off-duty police officer was rushed to Paoli Hospital on Monday after he suffered a gunshot wound to the leg in an apparent accidental discharge.
According to Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department Lt. William Cahill, the off-duty officer was preparing a trip to a local firing range shortly before 2 p.m. when a firearm accidently discharged at an unknown location away from the police station. The fired round struck the officer in the leg, and he then drove himself to the police station for help, Cahill said.
Emergency medical workers quickly responded to the police station, located in the 1000 block of Wilmington Pike, and rushed the officer to Paoli Hospital.
The identity of the officer was not released. His condition was not immediately known but the injuries did not appear life-threatening.
“Hopefully everyone is going to be just fine,” Cahill said, adding that the department will conduct an investigation of the shooting.
The Good Fellowship Ambulance Company and Chester County Medic 91 assisted at the scene.
Follow Daily Local News staff writer Michael N. Price on Twitter @MikePriceWrites and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michaelnprice.
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/DL/20150202/NEWS/150209967
Florence police officer accidentally fires gun at police car during training
(10-24-14) Fri, 24 Oct 2014 23:10:42 GMT — Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler says he's conducting internal investigation into the accidental discharge of a firearm during a training exercise last Tuesday off of Tunnell Road in Darlington County.
Heidler said his lieutenant, who is a certified instructor through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, mistook his real gun for a training weapon, which is a fake gun.
Heidler released the following statement to WPDE about this incident:
"Last Tuesday, October 14th, while in training with the Darlington County Sheriffs office, off of Tunnel Road in Darlington County, an officer of the Florence Police Department accidentally discharged his duty firearm. The officer's firearm was aimed away from other training participants however the bullet struck the windshield of an unoccupied Florence Police vehicle. It appears that the officer believed he was in possession of a training firearm at the time. The accidental discharge as well as the failure to follow appropriate training safety protocols is under safety and disciplinary review," said Heilder.
WPDE questioned Heidler more about how the officer could have made the mistake.
"It shouldn't have been mistaken, It is a safety protocol failure. The structure and operation are generally the same but have coloring to differentiate them from a firearm," Heidler explained in an email.
Major Florence McCants with the SC Criminal Justice Academy said they use colored training weapons to make sure no one confuses the weapons. The Academy trains hundreds of law enforcements every year on firearm safety.
"We actually have training weapons just for training. So, when you have defensive training what we have is a weapon, the color is all blue. And when we're here on the range, we're doing the range type training, those weapons are all red. So , you know that those weapons aren't real active weapons," said Major McCants.
McCants added it's always important to follow all safety measures and protocols during training exercises.
McCants explained, "When you have a handgun in your hand, you treat it as if it's a live round whether or not it is, you do it as such. And if you do, you're less likely to have those types of incidents."
Heidler said they are fully looking into their safety protocols and whether the safety failures that occured the day of the accident extend beyond one officer. He added it will be an extensive review and will take some time.
http://wpde.com/news/local/florence-police-officer-accidentally-fires-gun-at-police-car-during-training?id=1114274
Five hurt after gun accidentally discharges in Clearwater Beach hotel lobby
CLEARWATER (5-14-15)— Five people, including two children, sustained minor leg injuries Thursday afternoon after a gun was accidentally fired in the lobby of the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key, police said.
Officers responded to the hotel at 1201 Gulf Blvd. about 2:30 p.m. after receiving reports that a hotel guest carrying a 9mm Glock reached into the pocket of his shorts and accidentally discharged the weapon.
Stan Lee, 46, of Ormond Beach, had been grabbing for his wallet and instead grabbed the gun, police said. The bullet grazed his leg and then hit the floor, scattering fragments that struck a hotel employee, another hotel guest, and two children ages 5 and 2.
Two people, including the gun owner, were taken to Morton Plant Hospital with minor injuries. The others sustained superficial wounds and were treated at a local emergency clinic, Clearwater police said.
"A charge of culpable negligence was forwarded to the Pasco-Pinellas State Attorney's Office," police said.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/five-hurt-after-gun-accidentally-discharges-in-clearwater-beach-hotel-lobby/2229706
