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Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:23 pm
by pdubyoo
Man says he accidentally shot wife...
WILLIS, TX (KTRK) -- A man told police he thought he was shooting an intruder inside his Willis home, but instead wounded his wife.
The shooting happened around 2:30am Tuesday in the 9000 block of Zapata Drive. When Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies responded, they say they found Sarah Hanel, 27, in the bedroom with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Her husband, Justin Hanel, 25, told deputies he had woken up in the middle of the night and thought he heard an intruder. That's when he said he noticed a figure walking towards him, so he fired a handgun several times.
It was after the shooting, he told police, that he realized the figure walking towards him was his wife.
"Right after he fired, he heard his wife say, 'You shot me,' and he realized in fact that he had shot his own wife," said Lt. Dan Norris with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. "He immediately applied first aid and called for assistance."
Sarah Hanel was transported via Life Flight to Hermann Hospital. She is listed in critical condition. Authorities say she is lucky to be alive.
Friends call Sarah and Justin Hanel a young, happy couple who were starting off their lives together.
"He's a nice guy, and she's a nice girl," said neighbor Kyle Tharp.
Neighbors we spoke with didn't hear anything overnight. Tharp saw the couple working in their yard Monday afternoon.
"They're a normal married couple. Always walking around together and doing crafts together in the garage. Nice people," said Tharp.
Authorities interviewed Justin and the case has been referred to the district attorney's office. At this point, it doesn't' look like charges will be filed against him.
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=6925920
Never Guess!
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:20 pm
by Salty1
This is extremely sad to me, first of all shooting his wife, even though an accident he did not identify the target, would one not reach over and make sure your wife was next to you prior to even grabbing a gun none the less shooting it? Somethings in life I will never understand, hope she makes a full recovery
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:02 pm
by Venus Pax
We've started a habit in our home of announcing ourselves. If we hear entrance but no announcement, we loudly demand one while reaching for a firearm. This has worked well for us. In a typical exchange, the person entering announces his/her presence, then listens for a confirmation. (Not only is this safe in a house with guns, but it's polite.)
It would be horrible to discover that you've shot someone you love; always identify your target before pulling the trigger.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:00 pm
by ScottDLS
A long time ago I read in some magazine or other, that you should always have a small flashlight near any defensive handgun. This especially in your bedroom. The idea is you can shine a light on an "intruder" and potentially blind her if she is creeping around with a weapon intent on harm. Or...you could identify her as a family member before pulling the trigger.
I think this story is a tragedy and I am not going to criticize the shooter without all the facts. Typically when startled awake one is in a somewhat diminished awareness state. However, I really do subscribe to the "know what you're shooting at" philosophy. We're not all soldiers on a battlefield with orders to shoot at whatever moves...Although if I were, I would.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:02 pm
by MoJo
There are two things on my night stand when I turn in. 1. A fully loaded handgun 2. a flashlight. Don't pick up the gun without the light if it is dark. I don't like weapon mounted lights it means pointing a gun at something you are identifying.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:05 pm
by dac1842
I guess I am old fashioned. If I hear something the first thing I do is account for my wife. If she is not in bed, then I have good idea where the noise originated. but still have weapon in case. But I always account for her first.
Now someone mentioned have a 1911 nearby without one in the chamber. To each his own, but persoanlly I think this is a real bad idea. If there is a real threat and you dont hear it until it reaches your bedroom, I am willing to bet you will fire with chambering a round. Bad practice. IMHO.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:16 pm
by dac1842
THe other thing that strikes me as I read this story. I hope to God they had a happy marriage up to now. She could really turn the tables on him in this deal if she has anything she wants revenge for.... A woman scorned then shot.. boy could she make his life miserable right now!
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:23 am
by DoubleActionCHL
dac1842 wrote:THe other thing that strikes me as I read this story. I hope to God they had a happy marriage up to now. She could really turn the tables on him in this deal if she has anything she wants revenge for.... A woman scorned then shot.. boy could she make his life miserable right now!
Oh yeah... I can here it now.
"Honey, I want new livingroom furniture; maybe a bright floral pattern"
"Ummm..."
"Honey, did you forget that you shot me?"
"I'll get the checkbook. Do you like pink? I like pink."
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:00 am
by Venus Pax
dac1842 wrote:I guess I am old fashioned. If I hear something the first thing I do is account for my wife. If she is not in bed, then I have good idea where the noise originated. but still have weapon in case. But I always account for her first.
Now someone mentioned have a 1911 nearby without one in the chamber. To each his own, but persoanlly I think this is a real bad idea. If there is a real threat and you dont hear it until it reaches your bedroom, I am willing to bet you will fire with chambering a round. Bad practice. IMHO.
This is a good idea as well. If I hear something suspicious, I usually reach over to see if Mars is on the other side of the bed. It's usually Mars, however, that hears noises in the middle of the night and wakes me for back-up.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:38 pm
by USA1
Venus Pax wrote:. It's usually Mars, however, that hears noises in the middle of the night and wakes me for back-up.
team work ..
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:21 pm
by ralewis
AndyC wrote:I keep a Surefire and a 1911 (with an empty chamber) near the bed.
Why with an empty chamber? The element of surprise is lost when you rack a slide.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:54 pm
by DoubleJ
in case the bad guy gets it first? IDK.
Re: Man Accidentally Shoots Wife
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:12 pm
by Mithras61
ralewis wrote:AndyC wrote:I keep a Surefire and a 1911 (with an empty chamber) near the bed.
Why with an empty chamber? The element of surprise is lost when you rack a slide.
I would presume that its intended to make sure that he is awake enough to think before shooting.
I keep my "nightstand" pistol in a lock box with a combo touch-lock. That way I have to be awake enough to dial the combo before I handle the pistol.