Bored Jail Guard = Shoot a Coworker?

[RiverCity.45]

So here's a story that just left me shaking my head.

http://www.ksat.com/news/21030414/detail.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bandera County Jailer Shot

POSTED: Sunday, September 20, 2009
BANDERA, TEXAS -- An investigation is underway into a shooting that sent a county jail guard in Bandera County to the hospital.

According to Bandera County Commissioner Bobby Harris, the incident happened around 4 or 5 a.m. Sunday morning inside the jail when a Bandera County deputy shot the jailer in the leg.

The shooting was apparently the result of horseplay or some sort of prank. Its unclear where exactly inside the jail the shooting occurred, but Harris didn’t think it happened in an area where inmate are housed.

Harris is now demanding the Texas Rangers be brought into conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.

“It’s a serious situation and it needs to be, whatever caused it needs to be, we need to get to the bottom of it and make sure this doesn’t ever happen again,” said Harris.

Neither of the men involved in the shooting have been identified.

Its also not clear what charges, if any, the deputy may face. He has been placed on administrative duty.

[joe817]

Seems to me another case of gross error in judgment. Play with loaded guns and someone gets shot. It's a plain and simple rule to understand. Last week someone posted an article about a marine, playing with a gun, shot and killed a fellow marine.

Stupid and senseless.

[winkydo]

any kind of horse play that ends with someone being shot, obviously should not have have started or escalated to that point to begin with. i hope that the proper investigation is done and these guys are held accountable for the recklessness. i also pray for the best for the jailer that was shot. this will be a life changing event for these two individuals either way.

[pedalman]

This must be another one of those "It just went off" stories.

[TexasFlash]

here are the details...
Dave

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_ ... pital.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
By Zeke MacCormack - Express-News BANDERA — Remedial training to prevent workplace horseplay is being planned in the wake of the weekend wounding of a Bandera County jailer whose prank went awry.

“We don't condone that activity,” Chief Deputy Don Berger said Monday. “It's an unfortunate accident we wished wouldn't have happened.”

He said Daniel Spengler, 22, was shot in the right thigh by Deputy A.J. Griffin about 4:45 a.m. Sunday at the new law enforcement center on Texas 173 and is recovering at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio.

Spengler had hidden in an office in an unfinished area of the building, which now houses the jail and communications center, and rattled a door to spook nearby dispatchers, Berger said.

Griffin went to investigate the noises and, as he entered the darkened office, Spengler — expecting an unarmed dispatcher — jumped out and roared, Berger said.

He said Griffin, 36, “reverted to his training” and fired once, hitting Spengler in the leg, then gave medical care to Spengler, who was taken to the hospital by helicopter.

Berger said the Texas Rangers will be asked to review the findings of an internal investigation that, so far, has found no wrong-doing by Griffin, a deputy there for two years.

He's on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation, said Berger, who described Griffin as “naturally upset” over shooting his friend.

Spengler, a jailer for 20 months, faces possible disciplinary action, said Berger, adding, “Our main concern now is getting him better.”

Neither Griffin nor Sheriff Weldon Tucker could be reached for comment on Monday.

[grim-bob]

That's a foreseeable outcome in that type of prank with armed people around. It's the same reason I don't come home early from business trips anymore without calling first. I bet he gives up his scaring people career. sheesh... hope he has full recovery in any case and glad to hear it wasn't horseplay with the gun originally and rather a response to a stimulus.

[lonewolf]

Why anyone would want to surprise someone in a place like that is beyond me. A sense of humor is one thing, but doing something like that is flat irresponsible. Sounds like the deputy was well trained, though. He responded to a situation (possible attacker, inmate) and reacted quickly and effectively. Probably not sufficient time for a positive ID. Just deal with the threat.

Even poking someone in the ribs from behind is likely to get one elbowed in the chops.......the risk is just not worth the potential laughs.....

[joe817]

totally with grim-bob's and lonewolf's assessments.

[.45mac.40]

Young ... AND ... with a boring job ... especially in tha' Sunday AM.
Grins and giggles, don't work in those enviroment(s).
Leg shot, IS PROBALY better than, center mass !!
Speedy recovery for the friend !
Mac .45