US Woman In ICU After Neighbour Accidentally Fires Gun Through Ceiling

A 25-year-old woman is fighting for her life in intensive care after her downstairs neighbor unintentionally discharged a rifle, sending a bullet through the ceiling into her apartment. Caleb Bean, 30, from Connecticut, informed authorities that he had "accidentally discharged his firearm while attempting to cycle the action of his rifle."

The unfortunate incident took place at approximately 10:50 pm on Sunday at Phoenix Park Apartments on Long Hill Road in Groton, Connecticut. The discharged bullet struck a woman residing in the apartment directly above Bean's, inflicting a life-threatening gunshot wound to her leg. Nearby residents and the victim's boyfriend applied improvised tourniquets while keeping her conscious until law enforcement arrived at the scene.

According to police reports, the woman suffered severe trauma to her right leg, resulting in "a significant amount of blood loss."

Emergency responders transported the injured woman to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, where she underwent surgical intervention and is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

Robert Guest from Eastern Connecticut Firearms Safety emphasized that cycling a firearm, which involves loading or unloading a round, should never be performed in an uncontrolled environment.

"Cycling is pulling it back and letting it go, inserting one cartridge into the chamber," Guest explained, as reported by KKTV.

"Always point your gun in a safe direction. And absolutely, if you know the environment you're in and there's just the possibility of someone being above you, up is probably not the safest direction," Guest added.

Authorities recovered an AR-15-style rifle at the location. Bean was subsequently arrested and faces multiple charges including assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and breach of peace. Initially held on a $250,000 bond, the amount was later reduced to $15,000.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a 16-year-old lost their life in an accidental shooting in Texas, according to WHNT. Police responded to a residence around 7 pm and discovered the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, the teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators reported that an 18-year-old present with the teen believed the firearm was unloaded when it discharged, fatally striking the teenager.