BUNNELL, FL – Two deputies from Flagler County are under investigation after a backyard target practice session resulted in an 11-year-old boy being grazed by a bullet. The incident occurred when a father and daughter, both deputies, were practicing with a department-issued rifle.
The unusual circumstances prompted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to hold a news conference. Officials explained that a bullet accidentally traveled through a neighbor’s house, striking the boy. In a frantic 911 call, the boy’s mother described how the bullet pierced the house, hitting her son’s wrist and neck.
The deputies involved were using a rifle for target practice in their yard. The identity of the shooter remains unclear, but the bullet managed to traverse a considerable distance, through trees and woods, before reaching the house. The boy, in his room playing video games, suffered non-serious injuries, with marks on his neck and wrist.
Sheriff’s investigators emphasized that target practice with department-issued firearms should occur at approved facilities, not in residential backyards. A criminal investigation is currently underway, to be followed by an internal review.
Deputy Brian Jackson, the father involved, expressed deep remorse upon learning about the incident. Despite the ongoing investigation, both deputies remain active in their duties.
The rural nature of the area, with houses spaced far apart, adds to the peculiarity of how the bullet reached its unintended target. Authorities are working to ensure such incidents do not happen again.