A wedding took a shocking turn when a grandfather officiating the event accidentally shot his 12-year-old grandson. The incident, which occurred at a banquet hall in Nebraska, has resulted in the man's arrest and multiple charges.
Michael Gardner, a 62-year-old Texas resident, is now facing legal consequences for his careless actions at the family wedding. On that fateful Saturday, Gardner was attempting to capture the attention of the guests when he pulled out a Pietta 1860 revolver and fired it around 5:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, his shot struck his young grandson in the shoulder, causing an immediate uproar among the attendees.
Carelessly firing a gun at a wedding
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office chief deputy Ben Houchin addressed the incident during a press conference held on the following Monday. He confirmed that the injury, while serious, was not life-threatening, and the 12-year-old was promptly hospitalized. Houchin emphasized, "It’s just kind of neglectful to take a gun out that has blanks and fire [among] people."
Gardner now faces potential charges of negligent injury to a minor, a situation described by a sheriff's office deputy as being careless.
It is evident that pulling out a loaded gun and discharging it in a crowded place is a reckless action that could have led to tragic consequences. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible firearm handling, even in the most unexpected of settings.