On Thursday, January 9th, 2014, at 11:40 a.m., Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to an accidental shooting at 11814 SE CR-245 in Lulu.
The investigation revealed that homeowner, Patricia Barber, had a 22 caliber rifle leaning against the front door to defend her chickens from a fox. Her 30 year old son, Brian Ward, who also lives at this address, picked up the rifle to move it and dropped it. The rifle had the safety off and discharged, striking him in the right chest area with the bullet exiting his right shoulder.
Brian was conscious and alert when he was transported by Lifeguard Medic 4 to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
