*** PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW AND IMPROVED NEWS WEBSITE. CLICK HERE

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Hunting Rifle Discharges at Airport Ticket Counter

WDSU: One person was hurt on Monday in what investigators called an accidental shooting at Armstrong International Airport.

Jefferson Parish deputies said they responded to the call about 10:30 a.m.

Investigators said the shooting happened in the ticket counter area. A passenger was checking a hunting rifle at the United Airlines desk when the weapon discharged.

The bullet struck a counter and fragmented, sending a piece of the projectile into the leg of an airline employee. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The passenger, 65-year-old Edward Deubler, was issued a misdemeanor summons for negligent injury.

"Checking a hunting rifle? Boy, I thought they were strict on toothbrushes," airline passenger Ged Smyth said.

Other passengers said Deubler should have used more caution when bringing the gun to the airport.

"I would hope whoever is doing that is responsible to not have one in the chamber whenever they're locking it up," said Randy Layman.

Under FAA regulations, it is legal to travel with a gun but it has to be declared, checked and unloaded. Fellow hunters said this accidental shooting is an embarrassment to the rest of their community.

In June, Kenner Police arrested three teens following a car chase that ended in a shooting outside the airport.

Those suspects now face a slew of charges including possible attempted murder, because the car police said they stole was being used as a dangerous weapon.

No comments: