Sheriff’s Gun ‘Goes Off’ in Georgia Walmart All By Itself
BY Herschel Smith
5 years ago
A teenager was hit by ricocheting shrapnel when a North Georgia sheriff’s gun discharged inside a Walmart.
Pickens County Sheriff Donnie Craig was wearing the gun in his waistband when it went off inside the Jasper store Tuesday night, according to the sheriff’s office. The round hit the floor.
Craig and several deputies were attending a “Shop with the Sheriff” holiday event and were standing near the front of the store during the “accidental discharge,” sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Kris Stancil told AJC.com. A 15-year-old boy in a nearby checkout line reported a minor injury, he said.
At the time, the teen told deputies he had not been hit and was OK. It wasn’t until later that he noticed a “small cut” that was barely recognizable as a wound from shrapnel, Stancil said.
The shrapnel that ricocheted was about the size of a pencil eraser, he said. The teen reported the injury to the sheriff’s office and went to a hospital for an X-ray.
“At the time of the discharge, the weapon was not being handled and the weapon was secured in the waistband,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. “Sheriff Craig has stated how thankful he is that no one was seriously injured in the incident. All policy protocols will be followed during the investigation into the incident.”
The gun was a “backup weapon,” the agency said. It is not clear what caused the weapon to fire.
Sorry, but I don’t believe this. I also don’t believe in gremlins, goblins (except in the halls of congress), the tooth fairy, or the Easter bunny.
Something mechanically interacted with the firearm to cause the discharge.
On December 19, 2019 at 11:43 pm, George 1 said:
So he had the weapon in his waistband. If it was a Glock that is an excellent way to have a negligent discharge. I read the article and some comments. This is comedy gold.
“The weapon was not being handled.”
“The weapon was secured in the waistband.”
“It is not clear what caused the weapon to fire.”
“It could have been a manufacturing defect.”
From a supposed witness: ” The professionalism of these officers was outstanding.”
“I have never been so proud of our PCSO.”
The witness said the officers kept everyone calm.
“It was a freak accident.”
Herschel you have always said that you are never in more danger than when they are around. It would be easier for them to dispute that statement if it weren’t for the fact that it keeps coming true.
At least no bystanders, dogs or UPS truck drivers were killed in the incident.
On December 20, 2019 at 12:27 am, Herschel Smith said:
Don’t fiddle with your gun. It’s not a toy.
On December 20, 2019 at 6:17 am, Matt said:
Also, don’t carry Mexican style. They keep saying secured in the waistband, not in a holster that keeps the trigger covered.
One other thing to consider is that non rigid holsters, eg softened leather or cloth can get stuck in the trigger. This is a problem especially with striker fired pistols with no thumb safety, eg a Glock.
On December 20, 2019 at 8:39 am, Ned said:
Does anyone, ever, not carry in a holster?
On December 20, 2019 at 9:07 am, Fred said:
Herschel, what about big foot, did you consider that possibility?
Ned, I know people, but they have a weapon, mostly little .380 or 9’s, with a thumb safety.
Modern weapons don’t “go off.” It wouldn’t be so bad if the PD wouldn’t make themselves a laughing stock to all who own guns.
On December 20, 2019 at 10:39 am, revjen45 said:
Poltergeists. That’s the answer!
On December 20, 2019 at 11:07 am, DelMarVaDave said:
It’s George Bush’s fault.
On December 20, 2019 at 12:10 pm, Sanders said:
Just went off, eh? Yeah. Right.
Keep your boogerhook off the bang switch!
On December 20, 2019 at 2:18 pm, Peteypete said:
Let’s see, 1 county north of Smyrna. Anybody have the approved duty weapons lists?
I have heard of some recent alleged UD’s with M&P’s. My understanding is that the “owners” include both LE and non-LE, and at least one of each of these groups has filed suit against S&W claiming articulated trigger is faulty design including not drop safe and therefore caused their firearm to discharge.
I don’t believe details are provided regarding the primary or secondary pistol, etc.
On December 20, 2019 at 3:06 pm, TheAlaskan said:
Pipe clear, magazine full while in permissive environments = impossible discharge.
I always carry with an empty chamber, safety off. Apparently, that’s just me.
Permissive environments being the key.
On December 20, 2019 at 3:42 pm, Robb said:
What would happen to a civilian who had a ND inside Walmart?
He’d be arrested. He’d face charges. His employer might fire him. He’d lose his CCW. In some states, he’d lose all his firearms.
What will happen to County Sheriff Donnie Craig?
On December 20, 2019 at 5:44 pm, Longbow said:
So, I am SURE the “Vast Majority” are going to step right up and arrest the sheriff and charge him with, let us see here… what would Joe Average be charged with…?
1. Discharge of a firearm inside the city limit.
2. Unlawful use of a weapon.
3. Reckless endangerment.
And, the “Vast Majority” are going to look right at the Sheriff, and say something like, “I’m sorry, Boss. It gives me no pleasure to do this, but even the Sheriff is not above the Law.”
Right…?
Anyone holding his breath on this one?
On December 20, 2019 at 6:36 pm, SGT.BAG said:
The safety is between your ears…..
On December 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm, Tim said:
I’m glad no one was seriously hurt, but this is the sort of incident that really ticks me off. I read constantly from the anti-gun side of the aisle about how only Law Enforcement (or military) should have guns because only they have the training to safely handle guns. This is not the first time I’ve read about an LE having an “oops” that would as mentioned already, have the rest of us in a holding cell and watching our pistol permits/Concealed carry go bye-bye even if jailtime is avoided. The last big incident that comes to mind I think I actually saw posted here, with the FBI agent doing a backflip on a nightclub dance floor and having his sidearm fly out and strike the floor, discharge, and the round nick someone in the crowd. Again, if that was one of us “civilians” that would have been go-to-jail instantly followed by lawsuit. Idiot crap like this makes us all look bad.
On December 21, 2019 at 7:01 am, Matt said:
“On December 20, 2019 at 3:42 pm, Robb said:
What would happen to a civilian who had a ND inside Walmart?”
While I get the point which is very valid, I will quibble at the word civilian. Cops are civilians. I don’t know where this recent trend has come from to say otherwise, but it’s incorrect. Military are not civilians, they’re “GI’s – government issue”. Putting cops in the same category is militarizing the police.
On December 21, 2019 at 7:05 am, Dan said:
What’s the Vegas odds that if someone were to seek the surveillance video
from that Walmart store ( and they DO have cameras EVERYWHERE) that it would magically be UNAVAILABLE.
On December 21, 2019 at 1:46 pm, TRX said:
> Georgia
It was Georgia where Glock faced their first “just went off” lawsuit. Gaston Glock himself flew in from Austria to testify.
Funny, the Glocks and Glock-alikes still keep “just going off…”