Lesson in gun safety goes awry
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By PHYLLIS LEHRER, Staff Writer
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Tuesday, September 30, 2003 -- PELHAM - A gun went off during a firearms safety course taught by town police Friday evening, sending a bullet through a wall and a steel door frame at the Pelham Community Center.
The course was taught by Police Chief Edward Fleury, who said other officers also were present at the time.
Selectmen Monday declined to say who fired the gun, but went into a closed-door session with Fleury to discuss disciplinary proceedings against an officer.
"It was an unfortunate mistake," said Selectmen Chairman Edward Martin.
"Dangerous and unfortunate," said resident Robert Keyes of Packardville Road, who attended the selectmen's meeting to complain about the incident. Keyes, who said he heard about the incident "through the grapevine," said said the officer involved should be suspended and a letter added to his personnel file.
Selectman Eli Kwartler said all the comments would be considered in executive session.
Kwartler said this morning that the board will probably continue its deliberations and investigation at the next board meeting, scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Rhodes Building.
Alice Suprenant of Daniel Shays Highway, who also heard about the episode and attended the Monday night meeting, said it should be made public.
"Everyone in town is a taxpayer, and we have a right to know," she said. She also said the Pelham Elementary School is next door and a child could have been hurt.
She asked if it was customary to have live ammunition during a safety course. Martin said he didn't know.
Fleury declined to comment Monday.
At the Community Center Monday night, a small square of white tape on marker board in the ground-floor training room covered a bullet hole. On the lobby wall, another bullet hole was covered with a green flier. The steel door frame had been repaired and the paint was still sticky Monday night.
Highway Department Superintendent Richard Adamcek said Fleury called him at home at noon Saturday and told him of the incident. According to Adamcek, Fleury said he would take responsibility for the repairs.
Adamcek said his crew is working on repainting and repairing the door.
Phyllis Lehrer can be reached at [email protected].
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By PHYLLIS LEHRER, Staff Writer
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Tuesday, September 30, 2003 -- PELHAM - A gun went off during a firearms safety course taught by town police Friday evening, sending a bullet through a wall and a steel door frame at the Pelham Community Center.
The course was taught by Police Chief Edward Fleury, who said other officers also were present at the time.
Selectmen Monday declined to say who fired the gun, but went into a closed-door session with Fleury to discuss disciplinary proceedings against an officer.
"It was an unfortunate mistake," said Selectmen Chairman Edward Martin.
"Dangerous and unfortunate," said resident Robert Keyes of Packardville Road, who attended the selectmen's meeting to complain about the incident. Keyes, who said he heard about the incident "through the grapevine," said said the officer involved should be suspended and a letter added to his personnel file.
Selectman Eli Kwartler said all the comments would be considered in executive session.
Kwartler said this morning that the board will probably continue its deliberations and investigation at the next board meeting, scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Rhodes Building.
Alice Suprenant of Daniel Shays Highway, who also heard about the episode and attended the Monday night meeting, said it should be made public.
"Everyone in town is a taxpayer, and we have a right to know," she said. She also said the Pelham Elementary School is next door and a child could have been hurt.
She asked if it was customary to have live ammunition during a safety course. Martin said he didn't know.
Fleury declined to comment Monday.
At the Community Center Monday night, a small square of white tape on marker board in the ground-floor training room covered a bullet hole. On the lobby wall, another bullet hole was covered with a green flier. The steel door frame had been repaired and the paint was still sticky Monday night.
Highway Department Superintendent Richard Adamcek said Fleury called him at home at noon Saturday and told him of the incident. According to Adamcek, Fleury said he would take responsibility for the repairs.
Adamcek said his crew is working on repainting and repairing the door.
Phyllis Lehrer can be reached at [email protected].