3/19/10
The Deschutes County Sheriff's deputy accidentally shot in the arm during a training exercise is recovering at home today. Zach Steward suffered a shot to the righ forearm Thursday afternoon. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The incident happened when the Special Operations Team was training at the Sheriff's Department's firearms range just east of Redmond. Eight deputies were simulating entering a building, which was made out of metal stands and tarps. Deputy Zach Neemann led the team into the makeshift building, but still outside, Steward stumbled and fell forward, right behind where the target had been placed. Several deputies yelled for the exercise to stop, but it was too late; Neemann was already shooting. A bullet from a 223 caliber rifle went clean through Steward's arm. He was treated on scene, then taken to St. Charles hospital in Redmond where he was later released.
"They have to train in as realistic way as possible and sometimes accidents happen despite all the safety precautions we take," said Captain Tim Edwards.
Investigators with Redmond Police and Oregon State Police determined the shooting was accidental. The Sheriff's Department says no disciplinary action will be taken. However, changes to the construction of the structure will be made to lessen the possibility for future incidents.
**UPDATE**
On March 18 2010 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Steward was accidentally shot in the arm by Deputy Zach Neemann during a live fire training exercise by the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team. Deputy Steward was immediately treated by Team Paramedics who were on scene at the time of the incident. He was transported by Ambulance to St. Charles Redmond where he was treated and released the same night. He is recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery.
A joint investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police, and the Redmond Police Department was conducted. The investigation revealed that 8 members of the team were making entry into a simulated building that had been constructed of tarps and metal stands with Deputy Neemann in the lead. As Deputy Neemann engaged targets inside an enclosed room, Deputy Steward, who was outside the room stumbled and fell forward behind the wall in close proximity to where the target had been placed and was not visible to Deputy Neemann. Several members of the team shouted to stop the exercise but Deputy Neemann was already firing at the target. Deputy Steward’s arm pushed the tarp wall in front of the target and he was struck in the right forearm.
The investigation concluded that this was an accidental shooting and that Deputy Neemann had no way of knowing that Deputy Steward was in danger when he fired at the target. Changes to the construction and layout of the structure are being considered before future training is conducted.
