A high school graduation in Kansas was momentarily stunned after one audience member accidentally shot himself in the foot. The man injured himself while adjusting the firearm he had tucked in his sock. The rogue bullet bounced off the ground and traveled about 50 feet in the air before hitting an unsuspecting woman in the leg.
Uncomfortable Spot
CBS News reported that the mishap occurred at Augusta High School's football stadium, where the outdoor graduation ceremony was to be held. As parents and guests began swelling into the bleachers, an unnamed 37-year-old man thought it would be a good idea to re-position the concealed weapon in his right sock.
It turned out to be the wrong move as the firearm went off, causing the man and the other spectator a whirlwind of pain. The man managed to drive himself to Kansas Medical Center while his unintended victim was rushed to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Kansas police said both are expected to fully-recover from the "knucklehead situation."
Not Off The Hook
According to KWCH, the accidental gunman is now facing class B misdemeanor charges that could potentially land him a year in jail plus a fine of $1,000. The man has a permit to carry a firearm, but could lose his license if proven guilty of unleashing the weapon in an anti-gun establishment.
"Let's just cut to the chase here. The gun should've stayed in the car. An ankle, in a sock, is not an adequate place to put your weapon," said Augusta police chief Tyler Brewer. "Unfortunately, sometimes people just don't use common sense."
Roughly 1,000 people had already packed Augusta High School's football stadium when the shot was fired. Responding policemen told The Wichita Eagle that the small blasts from the low-caliber pistol was only heard by those who were close by. The graduation ceremony went on smoothly after the slight fuss.
