Spring Break
Four-year-old accidentally shoots self at grocery store
June 10, 2008
Rick Brundrett - McClatchy NewspapersIssue date: 6/5/08 Section: Real News
COLUMBIA, S.C. _ Lueen Homewood was picking up a prescription Monday morning at Sam's Club in Columbia when she heard a "horrible loud pop and then this screaming" behind her.
To her horror, a 4-year-old girl had been shot.
"I saw the gun on the floor . . . I saw a woman holding this little girl," recalled Homewood, 62.
The girl was sitting in a shopping cart being pushed by her grandmother _ an Aiken County magistrate _ when she pulled out a loaded, small-caliber handgun from her grandmother's purse and accidentally shot herself in the chest, Columbia police said.
Store employees immediately took the girl to a side room, grabbing first aid kits and other medical items off the shelves to treat her, Homewood said.
The girl, whom police have not identified, was taken to Palmetto Health Richland, where she underwent surgery. Police spokesman Brick Lewis said doctors told relatives there appeared to be "no major damage from the bullet."
The girl was expected to be transferred later Monday to intensive care for observation.
Police identified the grandmother as Donna Hutto Williamson, 47, who has been a magistrate since 1998.
No charges have been issued, and an investigation is continuing, said Capt. Thomas Dodson, head of the department's criminal investigations division, who described the shooting as "tragic."
"Improper carrying, storing or handling of firearms can result in damage and injury _ and this is what we have here today."
Williamson has a valid state permit to carry a concealed weapon, Dodson said. State Law Enforcement Division records indicate she has no criminal record in South Carolina.
Efforts to reach Williamson on Monday were unsuccessful.
S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, who oversees magistrate courts statewide, said Monday she wasn't aware of the incident and couldn't comment.
Investigators hadn't yet determined why Williamson was carrying a gun in the store, Lewis said.
To her horror, a 4-year-old girl had been shot.
"I saw the gun on the floor . . . I saw a woman holding this little girl," recalled Homewood, 62.
The girl was sitting in a shopping cart being pushed by her grandmother _ an Aiken County magistrate _ when she pulled out a loaded, small-caliber handgun from her grandmother's purse and accidentally shot herself in the chest, Columbia police said.
Store employees immediately took the girl to a side room, grabbing first aid kits and other medical items off the shelves to treat her, Homewood said.
The girl, whom police have not identified, was taken to Palmetto Health Richland, where she underwent surgery. Police spokesman Brick Lewis said doctors told relatives there appeared to be "no major damage from the bullet."
The girl was expected to be transferred later Monday to intensive care for observation.
Police identified the grandmother as Donna Hutto Williamson, 47, who has been a magistrate since 1998.
No charges have been issued, and an investigation is continuing, said Capt. Thomas Dodson, head of the department's criminal investigations division, who described the shooting as "tragic."
"Improper carrying, storing or handling of firearms can result in damage and injury _ and this is what we have here today."
Williamson has a valid state permit to carry a concealed weapon, Dodson said. State Law Enforcement Division records indicate she has no criminal record in South Carolina.
Efforts to reach Williamson on Monday were unsuccessful.
S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, who oversees magistrate courts statewide, said Monday she wasn't aware of the incident and couldn't comment.
Investigators hadn't yet determined why Williamson was carrying a gun in the store, Lewis said.
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