A tragic shooting in Saginaw County, where a man believes an intruder is in his home, but it was actually the man’s granddaughter. He shot the 26 year old woman. She was rushed to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.
The granddaughter arrived at the house just after seven with her grandmother. The grandfather and grandmother went to bed. The 26 year old granddaughter with special needs stayed up and was waiting for her mother to pick her up. She began to watch some TV in the kitchen, with all the lights off in the house. A short time later, the grandfather woke up to a noise, grabbed his gun which was under his pillow, and walked into the living room.
He saw a silhouette that was all black, didn’t realize who it was, and he fired one shot, striking his granddaughter in the stomach.
The woman was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition. The grandfather forgot his granddaughter could still be in the house.
Shan’s note: It seems to me that proper lighting, whether pistol light or handheld, could have prevented this tragic incident. The police officer is correct when he says “you have to know what you are shooting at.” My heart does go out to the family; this is a shattering mistake for all involved.
2 Comments
Glad to see the note at the end about using a handheld light rather than just a WML, as mentioned in the email. Thanks.
”Shan’s note: It seems to me that proper lighting, whether pistol light or handheld, could have prevented this tragic incident.”
If the other person also had a gun, and he/she sees you with WML pointed at them, the natural reaction is to see you as a threat, and shoot you.
Hand held light is always preferable to ID; WML is for targeting/tracking/blinding once the target is identified as a threat.