Accidental Gunshot Lands Geary Man in Jail

An accidental gun discharge at a local school has garnered regional attention.

According to Blaine County Undersheriff Eric Dunnigan, the incident took place Feb. 2 at Geary Elementary School as school was dismissing for the day.

The incident occurred when a passenger in a parked vehicle moved the weapon to allow a student to enter the vehicle. That vehicle was parked near the school so that the driver could pick up their student and escort them to the parked auto. It was not on school property.

When the weapon was shifted, it discharged, striking the vehicle parked next to it. No one was injured in the incident. It is unclear whether the driver or the passenger of the auto owned the weapon.

An arrest warrant was issued for Braden Donnie Scott Hensley of Geary, charging him with recklessly handling a firearm. Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daughtery said Hensley was arrested at his home and booked into the jail. He was held there for a time before bailing out in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

The story was reported on Oklahoma City television news, as was word of Hensley’s arrest.

The struck auto was that of a teacher at the elementary school, and the bullet perforated the side panel and also broke the windshield, Daughtery said.

Penalties for conviction on charges of reckless handling of a firearm may have a handgun license revoked and be subject to up to a $1,000 fine, should they be found in violation of the statute by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.