Man accidentally shot child while officiating wedding near Lincoln, deputy says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Texas man accidentally shot a child while officiating a wedding in Lancaster County on Saturday, the sheriff’s office says.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said deputies were sent to a wedding at Hillside Events near Denton on a report of a gunshot wound.

Deputies learned that 62-year-old Michael Gardner, the wedding’s officiant, fired a gun to get everyone’s attention.

“He was going to fire in the air, and as he did that, it slipped and went off,” Houchin said.

The gun was loaded with a blank that Gardner made with gunpowder and glue.

Houchin said Gardner accidentally shot a child in the shoulder.  They were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

On Monday, Gardner turned himself in.  He was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse.

“It’s just kind of neglectful to take a gun out that has blanks and fire amongst people,” Houchin said.

Investigators do not think alcohol was a factor in the shooting.

Gardner hasn’t been charged yet. He is expected to make a court appearance in the coming days.