Texas county official faces felony charges after accidentally shooting his grandson, 12, during wedding he was officiating after he fired off a blank round to signal the start of the ceremony
Texas county clerk is charged with a crime after accidentally shooting his 12-year-old grandson at the wedding he officiated after firing a blank round to signal the start of the ceremony
- Michael Gardner, 62, turned himself in for accidentally shooting his grandson
- Gardner was officiating his cousin’s wedding when he fired the gun
- He made the blank round using an empty shell, gunpowder and hot glue
A Texas county commissioner who officiated a wedding has been charged with a felony after accidentally shooting his 12-year-old grandson.
Michael Gardner, 62, of Odessa, Texas fired his Pietta 1860 snub nose revolver around 5 p.m., hitting the child below his left shoulder on Saturday in Denton, Nebraska.
Gardner has 12-year-old twin grandsons, and it is unclear which one was shot. After turning himself in on Monday, Gardner faces child abuse charges.
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ben Houchin reported that the gun fired a blank round with black powder glued into the casing.
The wedding started late because someone forgot the rings, and Gardner allegedly pulled the trigger in an attempt to get the guests’ attention.
Michael Gardner, 62, of Odessa, Texas fired his Pietta 1860 snub nose revolver around 5 p.m., hitting the child below his left shoulder on Saturday in Denton, Nebraska
Gardner has 12-year-old twin grandsons, and it is unclear which one was shot. After turning himself in on Monday, Gardner faces child abuse charges
But according to Gardner, that wasn’t the case. ‘The coat of arms was included in the wedding.
“The gun was fired to indicate that the music was starting and the bride was going to march down the aisle,” Gardner said. He has been in Beatrice, Nebraska since the incident.
“I really don’t know exactly what happened,” Gardner said. “I’ve been around guns all my life, and nothing like this has ever happened,” he said.
Gardner, an Ecto County commissioner in Texas, said he officiated his cousin’s wedding at an outdoor venue about 10 miles southwest of Lincoln.
He admitted that he made the blank himself using an empty shell, black powder and hot glue to hold it together.
Officials believe the dry glue from the bullet struck the boy and caused his injury.
His grandson was taken in an ambulance to Lincoln Hospital before being transferred to Children’s Hospital Omaha.
The grandfather said, “I never left his side. There’s no one who feels worse about this than me. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over it.’
The recommended misdemeanor charge carries a prison sentence of up to three years and is generally reserved for intentional abuse resulting in injury.
Gardner was booked and posted $1,000 bond to be released from jail.
“Just another example that playing with firearms – no matter what, even if it’s blanks – bad things can certainly happen. We do not believe Michael intended to harm his grandchild, but the act was not very smart,” Houchin said.
The wedding started late because someone forgot the rings, and Gardner allegedly pulled the trigger in an attempt to get the guests’ attention
A hearing for Gardner was held Tuesday and prosecutors have not yet charged him with a crime.
Prosecutors have scheduled an arraignment for Nov. 3, at which any charges against Gardner will be filed.
The grandfather and commissioner have acknowledged he could lose his job with the provincial government if charges are brought against him.
Gardner is three years into his first term as Ecto County commissioner and plans to seek re-election next year. Those with a felony conviction are ineligible for office.
“Politically, whatever happens happens,” he said. ‘And I’ll have to live with that. I would never make excuses for what happened. The responsibility lies with me.’