Father shoots self in leg in Downtown Disney parking lot

[huey578]

Father shoots self in leg in Downtown Disney parking lot
Keith Kohn | Sentinel Staff Writer
10:21 PM EDT, July 12, 2008

A man preparing to go to the movies with his son at the Downtown Disney shopping complex shot himself in the leg Saturday night, authorities said. The man, who was not named, was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center for a non-life-threatening accidental gunshot injury, Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Solomons said.

The Sheriff's Office earlier reported that the man was leaving the Disney area when the gun was discharged.

The man's 12-year-old son phoned authorities shortly after 7:30 p.m. to report the shooting.

Solomons said the man had his son get out of their car and wait so he "could safely clear his weapon," Solomons said. He removed the semiautomatic handgun from his waistband and while he was removing the magazine or clearing the round from the chamber, "the firearm discharged, striking him in the leg.

Solomons said it did not appear the gun was ever brought into the Disney shopping mall at Downtown Disney.

The man was in stable condition at ORMC later Saturday.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Guess the guy thought Kung Fu Panda was in 3-D and might come to life....

 

[hildarumpole]

Yeesh! At least he only hurt himself.

 

[BillSears]

I blame the clubs at PI, especially the AC.

 

[Jakesmom504]

And I don't suppose you could have left your gun at home?!? Thank God he didn't shoot someone else!

 

[Telcogirl]

Seriously, a semi-automatic hand gun to take your child to a movie???? What is wrong with this picture?

 

[Poohbear123]

Seriously, a semi-automatic hand gun to take your child to a movie???? What is wrong with this picture?

Apparantly there is more to this than meets the eye.....

 

[dawgfan]

Anyone think he may be an off duty police officer? They simply did not print that or he may not have volunteered that as this would have been very embarrassing.

 

[Sawx04]

I blame the clubs at PI, especially the AC.

Bwwwwhahahahaha.

 

[disnut8]

I'm only commenting on a fact and not expressing my opinion at all.

On July 1, a Florida law went into effect where you can carry a weapon (with permit) to your workplace.

Georgia has a similar law where you can carry a concealed weapon in your car (went into effect last July) and this year expanded that to restaurants (as long as you don't drink). The addition of being able to carry a concealed weapon to church was not included in this new law (although proposed and discussed).

It's becoming more and more common for people (with permit) to carry their weapons with them at all times.

Please, please, please, do not turn this thread into an anti-NRA or pro-NRA discussion. It'll get shut down and then what good would it do? Please express your opinions on this one incident only.

 

[Feralpeg]

Half the people in the Orlando area carry guns. It is just nuts! I think we will see a lot more of this in the future. Unfortunately, some of it will have a much sadder outcome.

I am just glad he shot himself and not some innocent person walking by in the parking lot.

 

[troobabiee7]

I don't want to turn this into an anti/pro NRA issue so all I'll say is that was it really necessary for him to bring a gun to Downtown Disney? And thank God he only hurt himself

 

[karibritt01]

Seriously, a semi-automatic hand gun to take your child to a movie???? What is wrong with this picture?

I wish I had my gun when getting ice cream at Friendly's near DTD last summer. We were followed out to our car by someone in the parking lot, and thank God we weren't parked further back, because this guy obviously had ill intent on his mind. I set off the car alarm and THREW the kids in the car, hitting the lock button as I did this. The guy grabbed my door as I was slamming it. Sickos feed on people like that out for a fun evening, and never expecting to be confronted.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Saw it on the Orlando news this morning. The first thing I thought of was how lucky EVERYONE in the area was that he didn't hurt or kill someone besides himself. And the second thought was about the recently passed law. Too many guns. Too many careless people. And in a city the size of Orlando (and it's surroundings) it's always a possibility that someone will be "accidentally" shot.

 

[danilynn19]

I wish I had my gun when getting ice cream at Friendly's near DTD last summer. We were followed out to our car by someone in the parking lot, and thank God we weren't parked further back, because this guy obviously had ill intent on his mind. I set off the car alarm and THREW the kids in the car, hitting the lock button as I did this. The guy grabbed my door as I was slamming it. Sickos feed on people like that out for a fun evening, and never expecting to be confronted.

OMG that must've been so scary for you. Glad everyone is ok. Anyone come to help with the car alarm? I know there are MANY cases where people's alarms go off and since there are so many of them out there people tend to ignore them now.

 

[karibritt01]

Anyone come to help with the car alarm? I know there are MANY cases where people's alarms go off and since there are so many of them out there people tend to ignore them now.

No. I was really hoping it would be a deterent for him, but he still tried to grab the door even with it blaring. I don't know if anyone even bothered to look over or not... I was a little busy! I can tell you how happy I was to check into my Disney resort the next AM with their security gates!

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

There has been some stuff happen at DTD and around the area that would make one want to carry a gun. I have to say that he is lucky it was himself that was injured and not his son or another passer-by but stuff like this happens all of the time and not at Disney.

 

[disneyannie]

I find this thread really scary. Hopefully Disney's plans for PI will change the feeling of DTD.

I would like to see the parking lot more secure, maybe even paying to park or as part of our park tickets, its just too open at the moment.

A x.

 

[SoonipiLady]

I wish I had my gun when getting ice cream at Friendly's near DTD last summer. We were followed out to our car by someone in the parking lot, and thank God we weren't parked further back, because this guy obviously had ill intent on his mind. I set off the car alarm and THREW the kids in the car, hitting the lock button as I did this. The guy grabbed my door as I was slamming it. Sickos feed on people like that out for a fun evening, and never expecting to be confronted.

I'm sure glad that everything worked out OK for you. I'm not sure what I'd have done in that situation. I have only had the feeling that someone was following me once in my life, and because I was in a parking lot with other people, I walked up to a couple who were close by and "joined" them, quickly explaining the situation, to which the guy turned and asked the guy if he could help him. Needless to say the guy took off, but I don't know what I'd do if my kids were with me!

Karen

 

[larryz]

I'm only commenting on a fact and not expressing my opinion at all.

On July 1, a Florida law went into effect where you can carry a weapon (with permit) to your workplace.

Just a minor point - Florida law allows UNPERMITTED carry of a weapon in your vehicle as long as it's secured (i.e., in a closed container or snapped into a holster. That includes the glove compartment...

This individual obviously wasn't carrying his weapon in a container. Whether or not he holds a Concealed Carry Permit is another question...

From the licensing website..."Florida law does allow a citizen to transport a weapon in a private vehicle, even if that citizen DOES NOT HAVE a concealed weapon license...So, while you cannot carry the weapon on your person, you can at least have it nearby in your vehicle while traveling."

Of course, as DISboarders know, Disney strongly discourages bringing firearms onto property. I, for one, and being of sound mind, happen to agree with that, especially considering the well-known "Theme Park Effect."