From KTVZ.COM news sources - 8 Oct 2007
A woman unloading a rifle in a travel trailer at the end of a
hunting trip Sunday accidentally discharged it, sending a Bend
mother and son to Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville with
injuries, authorities said.
Crook County sheriff's deputies responded around 2:40 p.m. to a
reported gunshot wound along Johnson Creek Road, said Det. Sgt.
Travis Jurgens.
They arrived to learn two people had been wounded: Jeffrey Woods,
24, and Gail Woods, 52, both of Bend, Jurgens said.
Investigators said another member of the hunting party, Mona
Woods of Veneta, was unloading the rifle to prepare for the trip
home when it discharged.
The bullet shot through the doorframe of the trailer, fragmenting
and striking the two victims, Jurgens said.
The detective said both victims were reported in good condition
by hospital staff. A hospital spokeswoman said the man was treated
and released, while the woman did not show up in the hospital
directory.
No charges have been filed in the firearm's apparently negligent
discharge, Jurgens said, but the case was sent to the district
attorney's office for consideration.
Jurgens said the incident, fortunately not tragic, points to gun
safety issues and basic firearm safety rules:
-Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
-Keep your trigger finger outside of the trigger guard and along
the frame until you are on target and have made the decision to
shoot.
-Make sure of your target and what lies beyond.
-Set up a safety zone around your hunting camp.
-When entering the safety zone, everyone should turn and face
away from the camp and safely unload their firearm.
