Crime & Safety

Bullet Fragment Hits South Whitehall Police Lt. in Head

While a South Whitehall Police Lieutenant was shooting at a firing range, a bullet ricocheted off a back wall and hit him in the forehead.

South Whitehall Police Lt. John Christman said he was slightly injured Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. while shooting at targets at the Emmaus Firing Range.

Christman said he was about two yards from the target when a fragment from someone else's bullet ricocheted off the rear wall of the range and hit him in the forehead.

He was at the range with three other South Whitehall police officers but it is not known which officer fired the bullet that ricocheted. No charges are being filed.

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The walls are supposed to absorb the bullets, but Christman said he believes the walls probably need to be cleaned out. When there is a buildup of bullets in the wall, it is more likely another bullet can hit it and not be absorbed.

Christman said he is fine and noted, "It just drew a little blood on my forehead." He added, "It was purely an accident."

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