An off-duty law-enforcement officer inside Academy Sports + Outdoor in McDonough heard what sounded like a gunshot Sunday night and quickly found a 57-year-old woman who said she had been shot in the leg. Investigators later determined the woman, identified as Valerie Nelson, had shot herself with her own handgun. She now faces criminal charges and remains behind bars without bond.
McDonough police were called to the store on South Point Boulevard on Sunday night after reports of a shooting, according to WSB-TV. Officers said they responded around 7:35 p.m. to the store at 198 South Point Blvd., as reported by Yahoo News.
Off-Duty Officer Steps In
The off-duty officer happened to be inside the Academy Sports location when the gunshot-like sound rang out. The officer was quickly able to find Nelson, who said she had been shot in the leg, per the station's report. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators determined that Nelson had shot herself in the leg with her own handgun rather than being struck by someone else's weapon, the same account states. The circumstances that led to the discharge have not been detailed publicly.
Charges Filed, Held Without Bond
According to jail records cited in the report, Nelson was arrested on charges of reckless conduct and discharge of firearms. She is being held without bond, the outlet's reporting notes. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, per the Yahoo News summary.
Accidental discharges inside retail stores that sell firearms have drawn attention elsewhere in the country. In Boardman, Ohio, an accidental shooting was reported at the sporting-goods store Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, according to WYTV. And in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a weapon discharged inside a Walmart after a customer's .32-caliber pistol went off while still in its holster, OKC Fox reported.
No further details about the condition of the store, other shoppers present, or the specific sequence of events inside Academy Sports have been released. McDonough police have not indicated when the investigation is expected to conclude.
