New Details Released Following Deputy’s Gun Discharge At Elementary Playground

New details were released in a press release Tuesday after a McClain County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy’s service pistol accidentally discharged on Dec. 13 on a school playground.

What Happened?

The sheriff’s office stated that the incident at Blanchard Elementary School occurred while the deputy was seated on a wooden bench handing out stickers to students. The weapon discharged as the deputy assisted a child in zipping up their jacket. The deputy reportedly noticed a child near his holstered gun and immediately checked the child and others nearby for injuries. The child later told the deputy and a teacher that he had made the gun “shoot,” the press release said.

The deputy’s service pistol, a SIG Sauer P320, remained secured in a Safariland holster throughout the incident, according to the release. Upon inspection, detectives found that the weapon’s slide was locked in place, with the spent shell casing still chambered. Detectives had to manually eject the casing, the press release stated.

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How Could This Happen?

Investigators discovered a significant gap between the gun’s trigger guard and the holster’s design, which allowed for manipulation of the trigger while the weapon was holstered. Detectives were able to replicate the discharge using an unloaded weapon and holster, confirming that a child’s finger could manipulate the trigger through the gap, according to the sheriff’s office.

Currently, deputies are responsible for providing their own service weapons and holsters.

No injuries were reported as a result of the accidental discharge.

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What's Next?

The McClain County Sheriff’s Office announced it is conducting a review of all weapons systems used by deputies and considering department-issued equipment in the future, the press release stated.

The full release can be read below:

"McCLAIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Landy Offolter, Sheriff

December 17th, 2024 - PRESS RELEASE

Ref: Accidental Discharge at Blanchard Elementary School

On December 13th, 2024, a McClain County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy’s service pistol accidentally discharged while interacting with students on the playground at Blanchard Elementary School.

The McClain County Sheriff’s Office immediately began conducting an investigation into the accidental discharge. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a Deputy was seated on a wooden bench handing out stickers to several students. The Deputy began assisting a child in zipping up their jacket when the Deputy heard his gun discharge. The Deputy became aware of a child on his gun side and began checking this child and other students for any potential injuries. The child told the Deputy and a teacher he made the gun “shoot.”

The Deputy’s service pistol, a SIG Sauer P320, was still secured inside the Deputy’s Safariland holster and remained secured in the holster until Detectives arrived. The Deputy, with the assistance of Blanchard School employees, removed the students from the affected area while the Deputy waited for responding Detectives.

Detectives, upon inspection of the Deputy’s service pistol, learned the SIG Sauer P320’s slide was still locked in place with the spent shell casing still chambered, indicating the service pistol was seated and secured inside the Deputy’s holster at the time of accidental discharge. Detectives had to manually eject the spent shell casing.

Upon further inspection of the Streamlight TLR1 HL flashlight mounted to the SIG Sauer P320 inside the Safariland 6000 series holster, a significant gap was located between the P320’s trigger guard and the holster’s trigger guard, allowing for the trigger to be easily manipulated and gun to be discharged while the service weapon was secured inside the holster with the holster’s retention mechanism engaged.

Detectives performed a series of tests in an attempt to recreate the event. Detectives were successful in recreating the event with the unloaded weapon and holster using adult fingers, confirming a child’s finger would easily be able to manipulate the trigger through the gap in the holster. Based on the findings of the investigation, Detectives concluded the child manipulated the trigger of the Deputy’s weapon, causing it to discharge while in the holster.

These findings have also been consistent with other agencies’ accidental discharge investigations related to similar service pistols and holsters, including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Currently, Deputies provide their own service pistol and duty holster. The McClain County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough review of all weapons systems carried by its Deputies and will be reviewing Department-issued weapons systems options moving forward."