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 [1] 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 [2]