MOBILE, Ala. — A fight between two men on Repoll Road in Mobile ended with a gun going off by accident Monday night, Oct. 26, police said. No one was hurt in the Repoll Road gun accidentally firing incident.
Mobile police officers were sent to the area just before 9:30 p.m. after a call reporting shots fired, according to the department.
What police said happened
Investigators said the two men got into a fight, and during that confrontation a gun accidentally discharged. Police said the men knew each other.
The department has not said what started the fight. Police also have not said who owned the gun, who was holding it when it fired, or whether the weapon was legally possessed.
No injuries were reported, police said.
Questions that remain
As of Tuesday, police had not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the incident. Several details have not been released, including:
- the names and ages of the two men involved;
- what led to the fight;
- where exactly on Repoll Road the incident happened;
- whether anyone will face charges related to the fight or the gunfire.
Police have not said whether the investigation is ongoing. If an arrest is made or charges are filed, anyone charged would be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
How ‘shots fired’ calls are handled
A shots-fired call is one of the more common emergency reports police agencies respond to, and it does not always mean someone has been shot or that a weapon was fired on purpose. Officers responding to such calls typically work to secure the scene, check for anyone who may be injured, and speak with the people involved and any witnesses to determine what happened. In this case, police said their investigation found the discharge was accidental and happened during a fight between acquaintances.
Even when no one is hurt, a gun going off during a physical struggle can be dangerous to the people involved and to anyone nearby, since a stray round can travel a long distance and pass through walls, vehicles and windows.
Firearm safety reminders
Widely accepted firearm safety guidance stresses a few basic rules that apply in any setting:
- Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
- Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Store guns unloaded and locked, separate from ammunition, and out of reach of children and unauthorized users.
Safety advocates also note that introducing a firearm into an argument or fight raises the risk that someone could be hurt, whether a weapon is fired on purpose or not. Walking away from a heated dispute and calling police are generally recommended over escalating a confrontation.
How to share information
Anyone with information about the Repoll Road incident can contact the Mobile Police Department or Mobile Area Crime Stoppers, which accepts anonymous tips. In an emergency, call 911.
This story may be updated if police release more information.
