National Guardsman Here for RNC Is Shot
The National Guard member from Ocala was shot twice by another guardsman. Deputies say it was an accident.
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A National Guardsman in town for the Republican National Convention was shot twice in his St. Petersburg hotel room Thursday night, when a 357 revolver another guardsman was holding discharged, authorities said.
Michael Wdowiak, 21, was undergoing surgery Thursday night at a local hospital for gunshot wounds to his upper body and hand, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Wdowiak is from Weirsdale, FL.
Jeffrey A. Spurr, 26, who is from Bronson, was holding the gun when it went off accidentally, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Three other people were in the hotel room at the time of the shooting.
Wdowiak and Spurr are attached to a Florida National Guard contingent from
Ocala. The unit is here to assist at the RNC, and is staying at La Quinta Hotel in unincorporated St. Petersburg.
Deputies said that the two men were examining the gun's grip when it discharged. The gun belongs to Wdowiak and is described as his personal weapon, by investigators.
Patrol deputies responded to a call at La Quinta Hotel, 4999 34th St. North, at 10:22 p.m. Deputies say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the incident.
There are no charges. The investigation continues.
Concerned Floridian
1:32 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Oh dear... of course.
Roger Prinse
7:51 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
shot twice? by accident? What was he doing with a 357 personal weapon when he is in the National Guard? If alcohol was not involved, then how did he shoot hid buddy twice? Anybody see a problem here? C'mon, Guardsman, what REALLY happened?
Bulldog
7:29 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012
With over 45 years experience with firearms I can tell you that guns only ever "accidentally" go off when BOTH of these two specific criteria are met:
1) when you play, inspect, or clean a loaded gun (unload it first & verify)
2) and someone pulls the trigger (keep your finger off the trigger)
Guns do not go off if #1 (unloaded) and #2 (the trigger is not pulled).
So to recap: Never play with a loaded gun and loaded or not keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot :)
Shouldn't this be part of basic training for the national guard too?
Linda Hersey
6:11 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
Thanks for that explanation, Bulldog. It seems like common sense but obviously is a lesson that people need to be reminded of, given the accidents that have been reported lately.
Bulldog
7:14 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Linda,
The Florida Wildlife commission: www.myfwc.com offers a free gun safety course for anyone over 14 years old. Its called "Hunter Safety" . It's 90% gun safety 10% about ethical hunting. Anyone can take this class online then just attend a 1/2 day test-fun shoot, or take it as a weekend course-FREE-register online www.myfwc.com :)