With a room full of supporters in the audience, Ector County Commissioner Precinct 1 Mike Gardner read a short statement Monday related to charges he’s facing in Nebraska after a gun he was holding slipped and discharged injuring his 12-year-old grandson.
The statement was read in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Ector County Annex building. Gardner did not take any questions afterwards. Unless he is convicted, he can still serve as a commissioner. He hasn’t been charged in court yet and he bonded out before he was arraigned, Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said.
The incident occurred Sept. 30 in Denton, Neb., at his nephew’s wedding at which he was officiating. The gun was part of scripted wedding activities.
The Washington Post reported that when Gardner realized he accidentally shot the boy in his left shoulder, guests jumped up immediately to assist the child, including Gardner’s brother-in-law, who is a paramedic, he said. The boy initially wanted to stay, saying, “No, Pop, I’m okay,” Gardner recalled.
As the boy was being treated, Gardner went back to officiating the wedding, with the bride seemingly unaware of what had happened, he said. Gardner later rode with his grandson in the ambulance to the hospital, the Post reported.
“I don’t remember it, but we finished the ceremony,” the Post quoted Gardner as saying. “The whole thing was pretty fuzzy because I couldn’t get my mind off of him.”
According to the Lancaster County, Neb. Attorney’s Office, Gardner is facing charges of child abuse and neglect, serious bodily injury. Jail Administrator Rick Gray said this is a felony 3A which carries a penalty of zero to 3 years if imprisonment is imposed, 9 to 18 months of post-release supervision, a $10,000 fine or both. Gray said the court sets the individual requirements.
Lancaster County Attorney Patrick Condon said the investigation is ongoing.
“Every now and again we’ll have accidental shootings, but this is much more unusual than that. It’s definitely unusual,” Wagner said.
Wagner said the gun was legal.
“It wasn’t illegal for him to load it like he did. … He’s responsible for being negligent with the weapon. I think that’s kind of the bottom line,” Wagner said.
Nebraska just passed constitutional carry which took effect Sept. 1.
“I would imagine something like this could happen in the future, but we certainly have not seen a lot of weapons at weddings thus far,” Wagner said.
Gardner turned himself in Oct. 2 and was released the same day on a $10,000 bond. He will be arraigned at 2 p.m. Nov. 3.
“I was to fire a shot using a blank to signify the wedding participants were in place and the music should start so that the bride could be escorted to the aisle,” Gardner said. “Unfortunately, there was a mishap with the gun which resulted in my 12-year-old grandson being injured by the blank.
“He was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and released. Thankfully, he is not expected to have any lasting disabilities because of the accident. I’m extremely remorseful and thank God for ensuring his injury was not worse. I’ll take accountability for the accident and every day I relive those moments with dread.”
“Currently, there are no charges filed against me. My next court appearance is set for November the 3rd. The situation does not affect my role as a county commissioner for Precinct 1. Unless and until such a time I am convicted of a disqualifying charge, I will continue to act in this roll and will seek re-election as well. My wife, Angela, has been the rock of our family through this and we will continue to focus on making sure that the boys have what is needed to heal physically and emotionally.
“I thank you again. I thank all those who have reached out with prayers and support and we’re very thankful for the friends and family that have been here and supported me through this very difficult time. I ask that you continue your prayers of healing from my grandson. If you’re representing the press, (or) any press organization, be sure to sign in and I will send out an email to you today,” Gardner said.
Wagner said there he has not been charged in court and he posted bond before he was arraigned.
Jim Watkins, a retired educator and rodeo coach, offered a prayer before Gardner read his statement. Gardner said he’s been a good friend, taught Gardner when he was in school and has been a great mentor to him and many, many others.
“Father God, we come to you this morning with hat in hand and humbled. I want to give you all the praise and honor and glory for the fact that we live in a Democratic nation where we have the right and the freedom to pray. We ask your special blessings today Lord, especially over Israel, our country, our county, our families, and especially Father God, Mike Gardner,” Watkins said.
“We know that you said in Isaiah that we should cast all of our cares and troubles on you. This is one time we really want to call on you and ask you to take care of the situation. We know that you know what’s going on and we turn it over to you and put it in your hands and (know you’ll) have the right outcome. We just thank you Father God for all of our many blessings, the fact that so many people are here in support of my old student in our commissioner who has served us so well. We just ask you to take care of this situation. We turn it over to you and give you all the glory. In Jesus name we pray, Amen,” Watkins said.
County Judge Dustin Fawcett said at this time it’s about the healing of Gardner’s grandson.
“He loves those kids. He takes care of those kids tremendously. Prayers are with them. Prayers are with their whole family as they navigate this. I wish them well in all this,” Fawcett said.
