Video: Stray Bullet Hits Monroe County Man

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AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) — What goes up, must come down.

That’s the moral of the story for Jerome Carter, who was shot in the leg by a stray bullet he said fell from the sky.

“I heard a loud pop, saw a flash of light, and felt a burning pain in my leg”, said Carter, “Looked down and saw blood running down my leg and saw the bullet…

“I looked at my brother-in-law and I told him, ‘I just been shot.'”

Monroe County deputies are investigating the stray bullet incident that happened last Friday.

Sheriff Cecil Cantrell said they believe the bullet came from a high powered rifle shot from a far distance.

“Evidently somebody was out, either target practicing or something, and they shot in the air…”, said Cantrell.

Cantrell also mentioned that this story could have been much worse, and if the bullet hit Carter in the head or chest, “it could have killed him.”

“I survived Iraq without a scratch, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, I was activated for that…”, said Carter, “…to get shot in my own yard is unbelievable.”

Cantrell said they believe the incident to be an accident and not criminal, but that any bullet that is fired is shooter’s responsibility.

Cantrell said that if someone were to be killed, the case would be brought to the Grand Jury where charges for manslaughter are possible.

“If you’re going to be firing your weapons, make sure you’re firing them into a bank or something that is going to stop the bullet”, said Cantrell.

“…it could have been a child in the yard and they could have been hurt or killed and we don’t want that in our county…”, Cantrell said.

Carter said his grandchildren will come over to play in the yard and, “I just thank god it didn’t hit my grandbabies or I wouldn’t be standing here right now…”

While Carter said he’s a proponent for the right to bear arms, he also said gun owners must be responsible with their firearms.

Investigators ask the public if they have any information on the shooting incident, contact law enforcement.