By: Devin Fry
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – An Air Force Security Forces member faces reckless endangerment charges after accidentally shooting a woman during a game night at a Grand Forks apartment complex Saturday night.
Gerald Barran, Jr. has been charged with reckless endangerment with a firearm following the 11:51 p.m. incident at Cardinal Point Apartments on 47th Avenue South, according to court documents.
Police responded to the shooting call and found a woman lying on her side with gunshot wounds to her back and arm. Two men were applying pressure to her wounds when officers arrived.
Witnesses describe events
The shooting occurred during a game night involving Air Force Security Forces personnel. Court documents indicate large amounts of alcohol containers were found throughout the apartment.
Witnesses told police that Barran pulled out his firearm for a group photo, and the victim also drew her weapon. Other people at the gathering told them to put the guns away.
Barran was demonstrating that his firearm was safe when it discharged, striking the woman.
Suspect fled, hid evidence
After the shooting, Barran fled to his third-floor apartment and hid both his gun and the victim’s weapon in his closet, court documents state. He returned with a different firearm and initially told officers it was the weapon involved in the shooting.
The actual gun used in the shooting remained hidden in his closet with the other weapon.
Advanced firearms training
Court documents note that Barran serves as an armorer in addition to his Security Forces duties, meaning he has advanced training in firearm function and safety.
He is currently in custody at the Grand Forks County Corrections Center, bail has been set at $7,500.
