Teaneck Man Could Lose Leg After Accidental Shooting
Friend charged and police are investigating if the gun was legally obtained.
A 32-year-old Teaneck man accidentally shot himself late Wednesday on Lindbergh Boulevard when a gun in his waistband slipped and he pulled the trigger trying to catch the weapon, according to police.
The man was driven to Holy Name Medical Center by a friend, 33-year-old Janoah Poindexter, who police charged with hindering their investigation.
Detective Sgt. Thomas Sullivan said Poindexter, also of Teaneck, drove the unidentified man to the hospital’s emergency room around 11:45 p.m. with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was stabilized and later transferred to Hackensack University Medical Center where he underwent surgery.
The bullet hit an artery leading to a life-threatening injury, Sullivan said.
Police are investigating if the injured man was allowed to have the .45 caliber gun, but he has not been charged.
The investigation closed a section of Lindbergh Boulevard for hours overnight as Teaneck police, county police and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit worked at the scene.
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Keith Kaplan
1:14 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
The right to own a firearm doesn't mean you don't have a RESPONSIBILITY to own it safely.
Every gun owner should, at a minimum, take a NRA basic course. They aren't expensive and can very well save a life.
John Santaella
2:58 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Amen Keith. Gun ownership carries a tremendous responsibility.
The Sheriff's County and Bergen County Police? One of these organizations is redundant and should be eliminated.
David Sudranski
7:47 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Bad move, chamber a round and leave the safety off. This person doesn't have a clue what gun safety is.
Keith Kaplan
8:38 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Unfortunately these incidents happen even when people are properly trained (http://youtu.be/mhIJOVD8hwY), so it's important to constantly practice safety techniques.
Many 45's don't have traditional safety's like other calibers - but the only safety that matters is the one between your ears.
Rule #1 Treat every gun as if it's loaded
Rule #2 NEVER put your finger anywhere near the trigger unless you're going to fire it
Rule #3 NEVER aim the barrel at anything you don't expect to destroy
Rule #4 ALWAYS know what is behind what you're aiming at.
And NEVER, EVER, under ANY circumstances, stick a gun in a waistband (or anything other than a holster).
There are simply no excuses for not following simple firearm safety procedures.
shimon baum
10:11 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
You wouldn't believe how many people's last words were "It's not loaded". Terry Kath the guitartist from the band Chicago a perfect example.
Diane Schwarz
1:09 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
How about requiring a safety course before allowing any idiot to purchase and/or carry a gun? Or would that be against the constitution?
Keith Kaplan
1:23 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
It would most likely be unconstitutional as far as ownership is concerned, but it's ALREADY required for carry in almost all locations. I know that Florida only issues one upon completion of a NRA basic course (or its equivalent).
And while I certainly would feel it would encroach Constitutional rights to firemarm ownership - that doesn't mean it shouldn't be advocated.
Then again, I think the same thing about voting. How I'd love to see a required course on civics before people could vote. But, alas.....
John Santaella
7:47 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
We have drivers ed. in school and sex ed. in school. We should have weapons ed. as well.
Keith Kaplan
9:56 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The only thing worse than a kid finding this in the park would be a kid that doesn't have respect for what a firearm does.
I see 10 year olds (and up) at the range and they know exactly what to do if they came across a firearm in the park to make sure that they and everyone else remains safe.