Bristol police officer shot by girlfriend at shooting range www.privateofficer.com

 

Sullivan County TN Oct 19 2011 A Bristol police officer was shot by his girlfriend at an indoor shooting range in Piney Flats on Monday, and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether the shooting was caused by “hot brass” falling down the woman’s shirt.

According to an SCSO news release, the incident occurred at 4:26 p.m. Monday at Shooter’s Edge, an indoor shooting range and training center located at 413 Century Court, Piney Flats.

The release states Bristol Tennessee Police Department Officer Chester Emery, 47, suffered multiple injuries from a single round fired from the Ruger MK II .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun that a woman identified as his girlfriend, Kelly Crandell, 46, was shooting.

The round passed through Emery’s wrist and struck him in the chest. He was flown to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment. As of 9:20 p.m., Emery was listed in stable condition.

Emery, who is also an instructor at the shooting range, told an SCSO deputy the shooting was accidental. He said it happened when a piece of hot brass went down the front of Crandell’s shirt as she was shooting down range.

Crandell told investigators she “jerked” when the hot brass went down her shirt, accidentally discharging the pistol.

The news release stated that as of approximately 6:30 p.m. investigators were still on scene, and the incident — termed an “apparent accidental shooting” — was still under investigation.