The Lethbridge Regional Police Service has determined a stray bullet that struck a north side home last month originated from the Lethbridge Fish and Game Range.
On Feb. 15 at approximately 1:46 p.m., police responded to a report a bullet had penetrated the roof of a home along the 2300 block of 13th Street North. The occupants of the home heard a bang and when they went to check on the noise, found a hole in their ceiling and a bullet on the floor. No one was injured. The bullet was seized by police.
Police subsequently attended the Lethbridge Fish and Game Range along Riverbottom Road North and located two males who were targeting shooting with pistols at the time of the incident. Both men were fully co-operative and voluntarily provided their ammunition and firearms to police for further examination.
Following interviews with the subjects as well as a review of the security footage, it was determined a 31-year-old male inadvertently fired a Smith and Wesson .45 caliber pistol while the barrel was canted upwards, which allowed the bullet to leave the range and clear the safety berm.
Ballistics testing conducted by a member of the Calgary Police Service Firearms Unit subsequently confirmed the bullet recovered from the home was fired from the Smith and Wesson pistol the 31-year-old was using at the Fish and Game Range.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecutor’s office, the man’s actions were deemed non-criminal in nature and the case has been concluded without criminal charges.
Police have notified the Fish and Game Range as well as the City of Lethbridge regarding the outcome of this investigation.