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A 9-year-old girl learning to fire a submachine gun accidentally killed her instructor at a shooting range when the weapon recoiled over her shoulder, according to Arizona authorities.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the instructor –- identified as Charles Vacca, 39 –- was standing next to the girl, teaching her how to use the Uzi. The girl’s parents, who are from New Jersey, stood nearby, capturing video of the experience.
The girl, in a gray T-shirt, pink shorts and her hair in a braid, can be seen in the video being advised to adjust her feet. “All right, go ahead and give me one shot,” Vacca is heard telling her.
The instructor praises the girl for the shot and then tells her, “All right full auto.”
As the girl pulled the trigger, and the recoil caused her to lose control of the gun, with Vacca accidentally shot in the head, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said. Vacca was flown to the University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Sam Scarmardo, the gun range operator, was distraught about Vacca’s death.
“It’s like losing a brother,” Scarmardo said. “These aren’t employees or associates of ours, these are family. We’re all family.”
Many gun ranges allow children who are 8 years and older –- with parental supervision –- to shoot firearms, Scarmardo said.
“We instruct kids as young as 5 on .22 rifles, and they don’t get to handle high firearms, but they’re under the supervision of their parents and of our professional range masters,” Scarmardo said.
Agencies/Canadajournal
Where did the Bullets go ? has anyone notice that the target area has no signs of any bullets being shot with a Fully Auto Uzi. I can hear the sound of a Auto Uzi but i don’t see anything in the background (well 1puff of dust but that looks photoshoped)