Teen hurt in ‘accidental’ gun discharge

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A 13-year-old girl was wounded after she was accidentally hit by a bullet from a .22-caliber revolver at Purok Isla, Barangay Villamonte here on Tuesday.

Police Major Ritchie Gohee, head of Police Station 4, said a 62-year-old former gunsmith was cleaning the cylinder of the said firearm when he noticed a bullet stuck inside.

The elderly man tried to get the bullet using a screwdriver and a pair of pliers when it suddenly fired, hitting the victim who was sitting outside their house, Gohee said.

The victim, whose name was withheld, suffered a minor injury in her back and was taken to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.

Gohee said the former gun smith was placed under police custody, but was released yesterday after the lapse of his 18-hour reglementary detention.

Gohee said they are waiting for the decision of the victim’s parents, who are working abroad, on the possible filing of case.