In a bizarre incident at a wedding in Lancaster County, a Texas man, acting as the officiant, accidentally shot a child while attempting to capture everyone’s attention. The sheriff’s office rushed to Hillside Events near Denton following reports of a gunshot wound during the ceremony.
Chief Deputy Ben Houchin disclosed that 62-year-old Michael Gardner fired a gun with the intention of creating a dramatic effect, aiming for the sky. However, a slip led to an unintended discharge, causing the child to suffer a non-life-threatening shoulder injury.
“He was going to fire in the air, and as he did that, it slipped and went off,” Houchin said, according to ABC 8 News.
Gardner turned himself in on Monday. He was arrested and now faces suspicion of felony child abuse.
Investigators have ruled out alcohol as a contributing factor in the incident. Although charges have not been officially filed, Gardner is expected to make a court appearance in the upcoming days.
