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Shotgun blast inside van kills city woman
By John M. Hoober Iii
Lancaster New Era
Published: Sep 05, 2005 10:31 AM EST
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - A shotgun accidentally discharged inside a van Sunday night, and the blast struck and killed a 40-year-old Lancaster woman who was behind the wheel, city police officials said.
The bizarre shooting incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. on Conestoga Street near the intersection of South Queen Street.
The dead woman lives in the the 100 block of South Prince Street. Police officials are withholding her name until more relatives are notified.
The shooting appears to be a “crazy, stupid, tragic accident,’’ said Capt. of Detectives John Flemming, who gave this account:
The Prince Street woman was driving a full-size Ford van east on Conestoga Street towards South Queen. In the back seats were the woman’s boyfriend, who is about 39, and a female friend, who is about 40. They reportedly were heading to the home of the female friend.
A shotgun was lying on the floor between the back seats. The occupants thought the gun was unloaded.
As the driver was about to stop for a red light at South Queen Street, one of the back seat occupants picked up the weapon to place it “farther back in the van,’’ Flemming said.
The shotgun was not empty and discharged while the barrel apparently was pointed toward the front. A round went through the driver’s seat and struck the South Prince Street woman in the back, police said.
The occupants and bystanders immediately got the woman out of the van. Officers Michael Gerace and Michael Breault arrived and found her bleeding profusely from the wound to her back, The officers administered first aid until an ambulance crew arrived and took the woman to Lancaster General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Flemming said.
The investigation is continuing, but at this point the shooting looks to be accidental, Flemming said. There was no argument going on inside the van.
“Alcohol does not seem to be a factor and neither does drugs,’’ the captain added.
Police officials would not say why the occupants had the shotgun in the vehicle, but said it had nothing to do with any crminal activity.
Police are not identifying the two back seat occupants and are not saying which of them picked up the gun when it discharged. Both were “shaken up over this,’’ Flemming said.
When police finish their investigation, the findings probably will be turned over to the district attorney to determine if charges are warranted.
Police would like to talk to anyone who has information about the incident.
“We know there were people at the scene, and we would like to talk to them,’’ Flemming said. One of those possible witnesses police would like to speak with is a man who appeared to be about 50 years old, the captain said.
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/16847
By John M. Hoober Iii
Lancaster New Era
Published: Sep 05, 2005 10:31 AM EST
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - A shotgun accidentally discharged inside a van Sunday night, and the blast struck and killed a 40-year-old Lancaster woman who was behind the wheel, city police officials said.
The bizarre shooting incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. on Conestoga Street near the intersection of South Queen Street.
The dead woman lives in the the 100 block of South Prince Street. Police officials are withholding her name until more relatives are notified.
The shooting appears to be a “crazy, stupid, tragic accident,’’ said Capt. of Detectives John Flemming, who gave this account:
The Prince Street woman was driving a full-size Ford van east on Conestoga Street towards South Queen. In the back seats were the woman’s boyfriend, who is about 39, and a female friend, who is about 40. They reportedly were heading to the home of the female friend.
A shotgun was lying on the floor between the back seats. The occupants thought the gun was unloaded.
As the driver was about to stop for a red light at South Queen Street, one of the back seat occupants picked up the weapon to place it “farther back in the van,’’ Flemming said.
The shotgun was not empty and discharged while the barrel apparently was pointed toward the front. A round went through the driver’s seat and struck the South Prince Street woman in the back, police said.
The occupants and bystanders immediately got the woman out of the van. Officers Michael Gerace and Michael Breault arrived and found her bleeding profusely from the wound to her back, The officers administered first aid until an ambulance crew arrived and took the woman to Lancaster General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Flemming said.
The investigation is continuing, but at this point the shooting looks to be accidental, Flemming said. There was no argument going on inside the van.
“Alcohol does not seem to be a factor and neither does drugs,’’ the captain added.
Police officials would not say why the occupants had the shotgun in the vehicle, but said it had nothing to do with any crminal activity.
Police are not identifying the two back seat occupants and are not saying which of them picked up the gun when it discharged. Both were “shaken up over this,’’ Flemming said.
When police finish their investigation, the findings probably will be turned over to the district attorney to determine if charges are warranted.
Police would like to talk to anyone who has information about the incident.
“We know there were people at the scene, and we would like to talk to them,’’ Flemming said. One of those possible witnesses police would like to speak with is a man who appeared to be about 50 years old, the captain said.
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/16847
