Man accidentally shoots self at Lafayette hospital
BOULDER COUNTY - A 59-year-old Thornton man faces several misdemeanor charges after his handgun accidentally discharged into his leg while he was reaching into his pocket for money to pay for his meal at a dining room in Good Samaritan-Exempla Hospital in Lafayette on Tuesday.
Steve M. Tapp was cited for unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a firearm, according to Lafayette Police Comm. Mike Battersby.
The incident occurred about 12:30 p.m., and Tapp, who was shot in the leg with his small-caliber weapon, was the only person injured. He was sent home from the hospital later in the afternoon and is expected to make a full recovery.
"There is no indication at this point in our investigation that would indicate that he was here to do anything other than visit some family members who were already here, receiving care," said Battersby. "We are not looking at this as Mr. Tapp in any way being involved in any kind of criminal act in the hospital."
Hospital spokeswoman Kay Taylor said the hospital has a policy prohibiting anyone bringing firearms into the facility, but admitted there was no prominent signage saying so, at the time of the incident. Coincidentally, however, she said new signs had recently been ordered, including signs that will state the policy clearly.
The distance from the ground-floor cafeteria where the shooting occurred, to the emergency room, is about 200 feet. Taylor said Tapp made that short trip in a hospital wheelchair.
"Certainly, if he had to have an accident, we were thankful we were here to serve him very quickly," Taylor said.
