BEND, Ore. - A Bend woman was cited on assault and reckless endangering charges Thursday after a loaded .22-caliber Derringer pistol fell out of her pocket during a visit to McDonald’s and it fired, striking her husband in the abdomen police said. He remained hospitalized Friday, but had improved to fair condition.
Officers were called to the McDonald’s at 2000 NE Third Street around 1:15 p.m. on the reported gunshot wound, said Lt. Chris Carney.
Carney said a preliminary investigation revealed that Richard Lee Cooper, 47, and wife Barbara Annette Masters, 48, were sitting in the restaurant’s dining area when Masters leaned forward and the gun fell out of her pocket and hit the floor.
The impact with the floor caused the gun to go off, with the bullet striking Cooper in the abdomen, he said.
Medics took Cooper to St. Charles-Bend, where he was reported in serious condition later in the day. By Friday, he was listed in fair condition.
Masters was cooperative during the investigation, Carney said, and was cited at the scene on third-degree assault and reckless endangering charges and released.
Police said there were about 15 customers inside the restaurant at the time.
February 13, 2013 5:12 AM
