Fla. Pastor's Daughter Critical After Accidental Shooting at Church
A pastor's daughter was accidentally shot in the head after a Sunday service at a Florida Church in what the local Sherriff's department is calling a "tragic accident."
"It does appear that this was a tragic accident," Cecilia Barreda, spokeswoman of the Pinellas County Sherriff's office told Tampa Bay Online.
Police were called to the Grace Connection Church, located along 56th Avenue North in unincorporated St. Petersburg at 12:24 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 in response to a shooting.
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About 40 people were lingering in the Church's fellowship hall after the 10:30 a.m. service when they heard the gunshot, according to Tampa Bay Online.
The incident occurred when Moises Zambrana, 48, was showing his gun, a Reuger 9 mm, to potential buyer Dustin Bueller, 20 years old. Zambrana had taken Bueller and another man into a closet near the Church's recreational area to protect other congregants from the gun.
Zambrana was showing the two men the safety features of the gun when it went off, shot through the wall, and hit Hannah Kelley, 20, in the back of the head.According to the local Patch newswire, Bueller was interested in purchasing a firearm after he turned 21.
Hannah Kelley is dating the potential buyer, Bueller, and is the daughter of Rev. Tim Kelley, senior pastor at Grace Connection Church.
According to the Sherriff's department, Zambrana had removed the gun's magazine clip but did not realize there was a bullet in the chamber.
Kelley was then rushed to Bayfront Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery Sunday. She is reported as being in critical condition.
"There is a big level of concern 'cause she may or may not survive. But we're all praying for her and, right now, I guess that's the best we can do," Church member Tony Diehl told local television station WTSP.
Zambrana, a security officer, has permit to carry the firearm. No charges have been filed.
