Dryden, WA – Three people were injured Saturday night in Dryden after a man allegedly unintentionally fired a newly purchased handgun while inspecting it inside a residence along Highway 2, authorities said.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at about 9:12 p.m. Saturday to the 7500 block of Highway 2 for a reported accidental shooting. Investigators said a male resident had recently bought the handgun and believed it was unloaded when he pulled the trigger.
The round allegedly struck the man in the hand before passing through and hitting a second person in the buttocks. The bullet then allegedly came to rest in the leg of a third person, authorities said.
All three people were taken to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
Sheriff’s officials said the fast response by emergency crews helped prevent the situation from becoming worse. Authorities later determined that the prompt use of a tourniquet by a responding Chelan County deputy likely saved the life of the person who suffered the leg injury.
The sheriff’s office specifically commended Deputy Davis for quick thinking and decisive action at the scene, saying those efforts played a critical role in preserving the victim’s life.
Officials also used the incident to remind the public about basic firearm safety. The sheriff’s office said gun owners should always treat firearms as though they are loaded and should never point a weapon at anything they do not intend to shoot.
The investigation remains a reminder of how a single mistake while handling a firearm can allegedly injure multiple people in seconds, even when no life-threatening injuries are ultimately reported.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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