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Andrews – An investigation has concluded that the shooting of the assistant police chief of the Andrews Police Department on May 25 was accidental and that no crime was committed.
“A complete review of the information provided by (David) Southards as well as the video footage both conclude that no violation of law has taken place and that the discharge was caused by Southards inadvertently pulling the trigger while a round was in the chamber and the safety was in the fire position while Southards’ attention was focused on something in the direction of Main Street, that cannot be seen in the provided video.”
The report was signed by Cherokee County sheriff’s Detective Nolan Queen.
Southards said he had just arrived at the police department headquarters and finished a phone call in his vehicle. As he got out of his vehicle, he gathered some vehicle parts to take inside the building to put into storage.
“Southards stated he also got his rifle out of the vehicle to take inside so that he could clean it,” according to the report. “Southards stated that he’s never left a round chambered in his rifle and went on to describe the rifle as an AR pistol and later stated that he didn’t remember having his finger on the trigger.”
As Southards walked up the ramp into the station, he heard a pop but didn’t feel anything. When he looked down, he noticed a hole through his pants. He turned around and put the items he had been carrying back in the car and started driving to the hospital. While en route, he called the Andrews Police Department and advised to meet him in marble to drive him the rest of the way.
Evidence was collected after the incident and turned over to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The shell casing had been located behind a trash can.
Surveillance video is motion activated and incomplete. The incident occurred just before 7:31 p.m. May 25. It shows him carrying items including his rifle, which he was carrying by its grip.
Southards appeared to be distracted by a passing vehicle as the rifle discharged a round, and his finger appears to be inside the trigger guard at that moment. The video shows Southards entering the building and, a short time later, driving away shortly after 7:43 p.m.