Wedding Officiant Accidentally Shoots Grandson at Nebraska Ceremony
In a surprising turn of events, a wedding ceremony in Nebraska took an unexpected twist when the wedding officiant accidentally discharged a firearm, injuring his own grandson. The incident occurred during what was supposed to be a joyous celebration.
The Incident
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office reported that Michael Gardner, a 62-year-old from Odessa, Texas, had traveled to Nebraska to officiate a wedding. As the ceremony unfolded, Gardner, carrying a Pietta model 1860 snub nose revolver, decided to fire a “blank” round into the air to capture the attention of the wedding guests.
However, things went awry when the firearm discharged, and the blank round struck his 12-year-old grandson in the left shoulder.
Immediate Response
Wedding attendees swiftly contacted local law enforcement, and first responders arrived to provide immediate care to the injured boy, who had suffered a deep laceration in his left shoulder. He was subsequently transported to the hospital but thankfully sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the police.
Investigation Findings
Upon investigating Gardner’s revolver, authorities discovered homemade “blank” rounds containing black powder and glue in the cylinder. Additionally, they found a discharged .45 Colt casing within the revolver.
Legal Consequences
On Monday, Gardner voluntarily turned himself in at the Adult Correctional Facility. He now faces a child abuse charge for negligently discharging a firearm, resulting in an injury. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison and/or fined $10,000.
Authorities’ Perspective
Chief Houchin of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged that Gardner did not intentionally harm his grandson but emphasized the recklessness of the act. “Just another example that playing with firearms, no matter what, even if they’re blanks, bad things can certainly happen,” Houchin stated.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with firearms, even in seemingly harmless situations.