This happened to my brother's son-in-law, Charlie, last week.
Until Friday I only knew Charlie had been shot, not a lot of details. I spent a little time with my brother dealing with some issues involving our late mother's estate and afterwards he told me everything he knew about the incident that left Charlie wounded.
His son-in-law was with his wife visiting her friend and was invited to go to the husband's "Safe" room. That's the term my brother used, but he didn't know if that was where a gun safe was located or a true safe room. I believe it was the latter after hearing a description of this event.
His son-in-law and the man were seated across at an angle across from one another. The guy handed Charlie a semi-auto pistol and Charlie, not really into guns all that much, handed the pistol back to the owner about as quickly as he got it. The guy then starts fiddling with it, trying to pull the slide back, but it won't budge. The pistol is pointed down toward the floor in Charlie's direction. A little uneasy Charlie starts moving but had not moved far enough when the bang happens. The 9mm bullet ricocheted off the floor, traveled upward through his calf then ricocheted off the ceiling and struck a wall before striking the floor again. (that's why I think they were in safe room, either lined or cement)
Unbelievably the guy asked Charlie what was that? Charlie says you shot me. The guys says, quote "That's impossible it wasn't loaded." Next he says what should I do?
Charlie has to tell him to get a towel and call 911. The guy got a towel, but never called 911 as they later learned. They just drove to the hospital and Charlie and his wife thought is was because it would take too long for an ambulance. Charlie found out at the hospital no one was ever called. I don't know how Charlie and his wife would even put up with that, but nevertheless they got Charlie to the hospital at which time the medics reported it to the police, who showed up and grilled the guy a for couple of hours.
The wound was through and through w/o hitting bone thank goodness, but it did quite a bit of damage. I saw a picture taken while he was at the hospital and thought it strange that both wounds were irregular and seemed large for a 9mm. Now that I know about the ricochet it makes sense.
After the police finished with the guy he guy continued his imbecilic actions and refused to call his insurance company; his logic was they could file on their own insurance and then their company could deal with his company.
According to my brother the guy is quite wealthy and his main concern was protecting himself. His actions certainly support that in my opinion.
I asked some questions of my bro and learned that Charlie did notice the guy's finger on the trigger and that was the reason he started moving over, but he didn't say anything. If he hadn't moved the bullet would have struck him in the groin. As it is he'll have to have some further surgical procedures to repair some muscle.
Like me I imagine everyone here has some definite opinions of what they would do in a similar situation, but I feel sorry that Charlie didn't have enough gun savvy to immediately react to keep himself safe.
First by checking the weapon himself to see if it was loaded; for not dropping the mag and cycling the slide while checking the chamber, for not warning the guy to get his finger off the trigger and point the weapon away. I was cringing while my brother described the events. I don't see him often, but the next time I do I will definitely have a talk with him; about gun safety and picking your friends.
I don't know what Charlie will take from this, but I told my brother that the gun owner probably learned absolutely nothing. I do hope I'm incorrect.
