Gun Safety Instructor Accidentally Shoots Student While Reportedly Showing How to Properly Use a Handgun

In an ironic turn of events, an Ohio instructor of a gun safety class accidentally shot a student in the arm on Saturday, police say.

73-year-old Terry J Dunlap Sr. was reportedly demonstrating how to properly use a handgun when he accidentally fired a bullet that bounced off a desk and into the right arm of student Michael Piemonte, according to local newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch.

Piemonte, speaking to CNN, said it took a few moments for him to realize what had happened.

"Everyone was in shock," he said. "It took me a couple of seconds to realize that I had been shot."

An gun safety instructor accidentally shot one of his students over the weekend while demonstrating firearm safety. (Getty Images)

Piemonte told The Columbus Dispatch he is thankful his wife who was "sitting inches away" was not harmed and speculated that the instructor didn't know the gun was loaded.

"That's my guess," he said.

After being shot, several nurses who were enrolled in the class helped stabilize Piemonte before he was taken to a local hospital and released later that night.

The desk the bullet ricocheted off of reportedly "slowed down" its velocity before striking him.

“I am thankful that it only ended up being in my arm, and didn’t hit my wife or individuals sitting at the desk behind me," Piemonte said.

No charges have reportedly been filed and an incident report filed by the responding officers called the incident an accidental shooting.

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