By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 40-year-old Centralia man who accidentally sent a bullet through his hand and into his wife’s leg while handling a pistol in the Sunbird Shopping Center parking lot in late February is scheduled to be arraigned next month on a charge of reckless endangerment.
Mark D. Solomon was not arrested, but was summonsed to Chehalis Municipal Court with a letter.
Chehalis Police Department detective Sgt. Gary Wilson at the time said he wanted to let the couple “get fixed up” before reviewing any possible violations of the law.
Officers called the afternoon of Feb. 27 said Solomon had just purchased a new holster and was putting his gun inside it while standing next to his truck. Both were hospitalized; the 35-year-old wife was sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for surgery
Wilson said he didn’t see any intent to do harm, but recklessness that could have seriously injured or even killed others that day, whether Solomon’s wife or other individuals in a public parking lot. Wilson issued a criminal citation on March 4.
Reckless endangerment is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and / or a fine of $10,250.
Just two days after the Chehalis incident, a Vader man handling his 40 caliber handgun at home fired a round through his hand, sending pieces of debris flying that struck his 12-year-old son who was nearby.
None of the injuries were life threatening, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. No charges are being filed from that situation as there was no evidence of a crime, according to the sheriff’s office.
Solomon is scheduled to appear before a judge on April 3, when he can enter his plea.
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For background, read “News brief: Two injured with accidental gunshot at Chehalis store” from Wednesday February 27, 2013, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Furthermore, the man could have “accidentally” shot his wife in the head.
Then what?
Just say, “Oops, we all make mistakes sometimes!” and let the idiot walk?
They guy was probably sick of being married, wanted to be rid of his wife, and took a shot and missed “on accident”.
I agree. The guy doesn’t deserve to have to go to court.
He deserves an award for being so stupid.
Does anyone remember the Chehalis Officer who accidently shot the cab car door? This man does not need to be charged, nor did the Chehalis Officer. I think we have all made mistakes.
Love our country,
The officer incident up north ended in a hung jury and the charges were not just dropped but I agree it did take a long time for charges to be brought.
I think this poor guy would like some time in jail because I would figure his wife is not very happy about being shot by him.
Too bad ALL local “law enforcement” don’t pursue the important things, like jailing all the tweakers and meth head losers we have in this county – or finding the ring of car thieves (probably also tweakers and meth head losers themselves) that appear to be operating in the area. Instead, they’re going to harrass this poor guy who had an accident. It’s beyond stupid.
First of all it’s not the county… the article says Chehalis Municipal Court. Then it clearly says that he was not arrested – therefore not “locked up” but instead mailed a summons.
The possible penalties include jail time or fines, but those won’t be imposed until he goes to court. Unless the city does it your way and just “gives him a fine” – which they didn’t do, and constitutionally can’t. It’s called due process.
Sorry you seem to hate the uninvolved county so bad… but I think your rational is slightly more “backwards” then what this article implies.
If the mans wife or the man himself wants to press charges then that would be ok, but for county to attempt to charge this man with wreck less endangerment is ridiculous. He was trying to put his weapon away when he misfired it. Give him a fine and make him pay the hospital bill, do not lock him up. It’s just this backwards county trying to make a buck off another persons misery.
I am right there with those first online who believe in gun rights & gun safety, as it was clearly an accident and while the gun should have been empty while handling his piece in a public parking lot try out the purchased item accidents come with consequences. Hopefully its nothing outrageous considering that incident with the officer up north whom chose the option to remove his gun from his person to then leave his loaded gun under the drivers seat as his minor children were left alone in the car while paying and fueling up on child shot and killed the other… Now explain again why there were charges forever and a day later just to be dropped. Of all PEOPLE in OUR STATE has the skill and knowledge to never do such a thing ever ANYWHERE and yet notta nothin zip!!!! Why cause he is an officer? Screw that The book should have been thrown at him as hard as possible and made an example out of for everyone INCLUDING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT!