Depot guard shoots self in left hand

This story was published Tue, Dec 10, 2002

By Karen Spears Zacharias
Herald Oregon bureau

UMATILLA -- A security guard at the Umatilla Chemical Weapons Depot accidentally shot himself early Monday while reportedly practicing with his pistol.

Hermiston Fire Department officials confirmed that Robert Shannon, 22, of Umatilla, shot his left hand with a 9 mm handgun at approximately 1:17 a.m.

Shannon, the grandson of former Hermiston Police Chief Bob Shannon, was taken by ambulance to Hermiston's Good Shepherd Medical Center.

Shannon told emergency workers that he was "practicing the trigger pull" on his gun. The report said Shannon had taken the magazine out while practicing, but then put it back in just before the incident.

"It discharged into his left hand, entering below the base of the mid-finger and exiting out the back side below the knuckle," a fire department official said.

Shannon was admitted to the hospital and was listed in stable condition. His father said his son was resting comfortably but did not want to comment on how the accident happened.

A family member who did not want to be identified said Shannon would likely undergo surgery in Portland to repair his hand.

The Army would not say how long Shannon had been a security guard, but a family member said he was hired only recently.

The Army also declined to say whether the accident occurred during training.

"It would be inappropriate for me to respond to questions about when and how we conduct our training for our guards. It's a matter of national security," said Mary Binder, Army spokeswoman.

Binder said it was too early to determine if any disciplinary action would be taken but said the incident is being investigated.

 

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