A Georgia mother’s routine Walmart trip turned terrifying after police say a man accidentally fired a gun from his shorts pocket while reaching for his cellphone.
The incident happened June 9 inside a Walmart in Valdosta, Georgia, where a 34-year-old woman was shopping with her young children.
According to the Valdosta Police Department, 21-year-old John Eady was carrying a firearm in the front pocket of his basketball-style shorts. Police said the gun was not secured in a holster, and his cellphone was in the same pocket.
When Eady reached into the pocket to grab his phone, the firearm allegedly discharged into the floor.
The bullet did not directly strike anyone, but the impact sent bullet fragments and pieces of broken tile flying. Police said the debris struck the mother in both ankles.
The woman was taken for medical treatment. Her injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Investigators said the way Eady was carrying the gun created a dangerous situation inside the busy store.
“Through investigation, officers determined that John Eady, 21, was carrying a firearm in the front pocket of his basketball-style shorts,” the department said. “Eady did not have the gun in any type of holster, and his cell phone was in the same pocket. When Eady reached into his pocket for his cell phone, the firearm was inadvertently discharged into the ground.”
Police said the woman was hit by shrapnel from the bullet and tile flooring.
“Officers determined that Eady was carrying the firearm in a manner that was a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in a similar situation,” the department added.
An arrest warrant was issued for Eady the next day, June 10. He was charged with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor.
Police said Eady later turned himself in and was taken to the Lowndes County Jail without incident.
Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said the shooting should serve as a warning about the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm.
“This serves as a reminder that carrying a firearm is a significant responsibility,” Manahan said. “Firearms should be carried in a secure holster or in another secure manner to prevent unintentional contact with the trigger, reducing the risk of an unintended discharge.”
She added that responsible gun handling is essential to keeping the community safe.
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