(Douglas County, CO) This morning, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Douglas County deputies were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance at Ranch View Middle School after a staff member and a student reported hearing a loud pop and seeing a puff of smoke coming from a bedroom window of a house adjacent to the school.
School Resource Officers put the school on secure perimeter and patrol deputies responded to the area.
While investigating, the occupant of the residence approached deputies at the school and self-reported the incident.
The investigation revealed that the resident believed the weapon was not loaded while handling it. However, he failed to remove a round in the chamber and accidentally discharged the round. The round traveled through a window in the direction of the school, striking an exterior door of the school building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The resident is cooperating with deputies. Criminal charges are pending.