Cross Lanes, WV- On Sunday, April 30, 2023, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputy J.I. Cooper, was dispatched to investigate a shooting incident after a victim walked into Thomas Hospital Emergency Room with a gunshot wound to the hand.
Deputy Cooper responded to the hospital to learn a 27-year-old male from Cross Lanes, West Virginia had shot himself in the hand while trying to clean a firearm. The incident occurred in the Lamont Drive area of Cross Lanes. Another person and several children were present inside the residence when the shooting occurred; however, no one else was injured.
Deputies responded to the scene and concluded the incident was solely based on the mishandling of a loaded firearm which resulted in the weapon being discharged. No charges are expected to be filed in this case.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you of the following tips when handling a firearm:
- Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
- When cleaning firearms, always remove the magazine and lock handgun slides to the rear so you can visually see that no live rounds are inside the chamber.
- Have a second person visually inspect the weapon to ensure it has been properly cleared.
- Keep your fingers off the trigger and outside the trigger guard, except when you are ready to fire a weapon.
- Always keep guns pointed in a safe direction.
Should you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy J.I. Cooper at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 304-357-0169 or submit a “tip” at www.kanawhasheriff.us under the “Tips” tab.
Post expires at 9:43am on Thursday November 2nd, 2023