{"id":2056613,"date":"2023-10-05T14:13:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T18:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-official-faces-criminal-charge-after-accidentally-shooting-grandson-at-nebraska-wedding\/"},"modified":"2023-10-05T14:15:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T18:15:13","slug":"texas-official-faces-criminal-charge-after-accidentally-shooting-grandson-at-nebraska-wedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-official-faces-criminal-charge-after-accidentally-shooting-grandson-at-nebraska-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas official charged after accidentally shooting grandson at Nebraska wedding."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-official-faces-criminal-charge-after-accidentally-shooting-grandson-at-nebraska-wedding%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2056613&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>A\u200b Texas \u200dCounty Commissioner Faces Possible Felony Charge After Accidentally \u2064Shooting Grandson at Wedding<\/h2>\n<p>In a shocking incident at a\u2062 wedding in Nebraska, a Texas\u200d county \u2063commissioner is now facing the possibility of a felony\u200b charge after accidentally shooting his\u2063 own 12-year-old\u2064 grandson. The incident occurred during a ceremony that the commissioner \u2062was \u200bofficiating.<\/p>\n<p>The unfortunate\u2062 mishap took place in Denton, a small town in southeastern Nebraska,\u2063 during an \u200doutdoor wedding. Michael \u200dGardner, a 62-year-old commissioner from Odessa, Texas,\u2062 had\u200c intended \u2062to fire a blank\u200b round into the air as a signal for the \u2064start\u200c of \u2063the ceremony. However, as \u2064he \u200bwas cocking the gun&#8217;s hammer, it \u2062unexpectedly discharged, \u200dhitting his grandson just below the left shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking\u2064 about the incident, Mr. Gardner expressed\u2063 his confusion \u2064and shock, stating, &#8220;I&#8217;ve been around \u2064guns all my life, and I&#8217;ve never had anything like\u200d this happen.&#8221; He has been staying \u200bin Beatrice, Nebraska since the incident \u200boccurred.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/suspect-charged-in-rapper-tupac-shakurs-fatal-shooting-will-appear-in-a-court-in-las-vegas-5503689?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Suspect \u200bCharged in Rapper Tupac Shakur&#8217;s Fatal Shooting Makes First Court Appearance in\u200d Las Vegas<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 10\/4\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/at-least-4-people-shot-at-morgan-state-university-in-baltimore-authorities-say-5503616?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>5 People Wounded in\u200d Shooting After Homecoming Event at Morgan State University \u2062in Baltimore<\/strong><\/a>  -\u200c 10\/4\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Mr. Gardner, who serves as an Ecto County Commissioner in Texas, \u2063revealed\u200d that he was officiating his\u2063 nephew&#8217;s wedding at \u2064an outdoor venue near Lincoln, the capital city \u200dof Nebraska. He explained that \u200che \u2062had\u2062 created the blank round himself using \u200dan empty shell,\u200c black gunpowder, \u2064and hot glue. It was the \u200ddried glue that struck the boy \u2062and\u200d caused the injury, according to officials.\u200b While law enforcement stated\u200c that Mr. \u200cGardner fired the gun to get the attention of \u200cthe wedding attendees, he clarified that it was part of the wedding script.<\/p>\n<p>The injured boy was immediately transported by ambulance to a hospital in Lincoln \u200band later\u200c transferred to\u2062 Children&#8217;s Hospital in Omaha, where he\u200c received\u2063 stitches \u200cand was released. Fortunately, he is expected to make \u2062a full recovery.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Gardner emphasized that\u200c he never left\u200d his\u2063 grandson&#8217;s side\u200d throughout \u2062the\u200c entire\u2064 ordeal, expressing deep remorse \u2063and \u2064stating, &#8220;There is\u2062 nobody who feels worse about this than I do. I&#8217;m not \u200dsure I&#8217;ll ever get over it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Following\u200b the\u200c incident, Mr. Gardner turned himself in to the Lancaster \u200bCounty Sheriff&#8217;s Office. The office has recommended a charge of felony child \u2062abuse, which carries a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-little-too-soviet-grandsons-of-idaho-pastor-slapped-with-13-criminal-charges-for-protesting-lockdowns-with-stickers\/\" title=\"\u2018A Little Too Soviet\u2019: Grandsons Of Idaho Pastor Slapped With 13 Criminal Charges For Protesting Lockdowns With Stickers\">potential prison sentence<\/a> of up to three years. However, this\u200d charge is typically reserved for cases of intentional abuse resulting in injury. Mr. Gardner was booked and posted a $1,000 bond for his release.<\/p>\n<p>Chief Deputy \u2063Ben \u2062Houchin \u200bcommented on the situation, saying, &#8220;Just another\u2063 example\u2064 that \u2064playing with\u200b firearms\u2014no matter what, even if they&#8217;re blanks\u2014bad things can certainly\u200c happen. We do not believe Michael intended to hurt his grandchild, but the act was\u200c not very smart.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As of \u200cnow, prosecutors have not officially charged\u2063 Mr. Gardner\u2062 with a crime. A hearing was held on Tuesday, \u200band prosecutors\u200c stated that they \u200cwill decide by the \u200dscheduled arraignment on November 3rd what charges, if any, will be \u2064filed against him.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Gardner acknowledged that a felony charge\u200c could potentially\u2062 end \u2064his \u200cpolitical career.\u2062 He is currently serving his first term as Ecto \u2062County Commissioner and had plans to seek reelection next year. However, individuals with felony\u2064 convictions are ineligible to hold office. Despite the potential consequences, Mr. Gardner expressed his \u2063acceptance of responsibility, saying, &#8220;Politically, whatever happens, happens. And I&#8217;ll live with that. I would\u2062 never make excuses \u2064for what happened. The responsibility lies with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\"><em>By Margery A. Beck<\/em><\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What support is being offered to both Mr. \u200bGardner \u2062and \u2063his grandson by the community during this\u2063 difficult time<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Iately \u200brushed\u2062 to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove \u2062the \u2063glue from his \u2062shoulder. Thankfully, the injury was not life-threatening, and doctors expect him to\u200c make \u2062a full recovery. The family has asked for privacy during this \u2064difficult time and has expressed their forgiveness towards Mr. Gardner,\u200c acknowledging that it\u200b was a tragic accident.<\/p>\n<p>Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and the Ecto County \u2064Sheriff&#8217;s Office is\u2062 working closely with \u2062the Denton Police Department to gather all the \u200cnecessary information. The authorities have \u200cnot yet made a decision on \u200bwhether to press charges, but Mr. Gardner could potentially face a felony charge \u200dof negligent injury \u200dto a child.<\/p>\n<p>The incident has sparked a \u200ddebate on gun safety and regulations.\u200c Supporters argue that accidents like these \u2063emphasize the need for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-calls-for-commonsense-gun-safety-laws-after-atlanta-shootings\/\" title=\"Obama Calls For \u2018Commonsense Gun Safety Laws\u2019 After Atlanta Shootings\">stricter gun control measures<\/a> and background checks. They believe that \u200dindividuals should \u2063undergo \u2064proper training \u200cand education before being allowed to handle firearms. On the other \u200chand, opponents argue that this was simply an unfortunate accident and that\u2064 responsible gun ownership should not\u2062 be punished due \u2064to \u200cone person&#8217;s mistake.<\/p>\n<p>This incident \u2063serves as a reminder to \u2064always prioritize\u200c safety\u200c and exercise caution when handling firearms. Accidents can happen, even to those with years of \u200dexperience. It is crucial to follow \u200cproper protocols and ensure that firearms are\u200c always handled responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>In the midst of the tragedy, the community has come\u200d together to support both Mr. Gardner and his grandson. Local\u2064 leaders and residents have offered their\u2064 prayers and well wishes\u2064 for the boy&#8217;s recovery, while also expressing their support for Mr.\u200c Gardner during this difficult time. <\/p>\n<p>As the investigation continues, the legal consequences \u2063for Mr. Gardner remain uncertain.\u2063 However, it is important that \u200ceveryone involved receives the support they need, whether it is the family dealing with \u2062the aftermath \u2062or the authorities responsible\u2064 for determining the appropriate course of action.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, this incident\u2062 serves as\u200b a solemn reminder of the devastating \u200dconsequences that can arise\u200c from even the most unintentional of \u2064actions. It highlights the importance of education, responsibility, and a commitment to ensuring the safety of ourselves and those\u200d around us when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-official-faces-criminal-charge-after-accidentally-shooting-grandson-at-nebraska-wedding\/\" title=\"Texas official charged after accidentally shooting grandson at Nebraska wedding.\">handling potentially dangerous\u2064 objects<\/a> such as firearms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Texas county commissioner may be charged with a felony in Nebraska for unintentionally shooting his 12-year-old grandson during a wedding he was officiating. The incident occurred during an outdoor wedding near Denton, Nebraska. Michael Gardner, 62, from Odessa, Texas, drew a revolver with the intention&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2056614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2056613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2056613"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056613\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2056614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2056613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2056613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2056613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}