Ass't. chief wounded when rifle goes off outside Andrews PD

Andrews – The assistant chief of police is recovering after he was accidentally shot with an AR-15 style rifle outside the Andrews Police Department off Main Street on Thursday evening.

Assistant Chief David Southards received several stitches for the wound and is recovering, according to Andrews Mayor James Reid, who called the incident an accident.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, which occurred about 7 p.m. outside the police station.

“We can confirm that on the evening of May 25, 2023, an officer with the Andrews PD was injured after his service weapon accidentally discharged,” said Sheriff Dustin Smith. “No criminal act took place. The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.”

Mayor Reid provided additional details. He said Southards was carrying a number of items including an AR-15 rifle to his patrol car when somehow the rifle discharged a round.

It is unclear why Southards' rifle had a round in its chamber or why it went off.

For his part, Sheriff Smith said the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released once the report is filed.

Southards drove himself part of the way to seek medical treatment, with another officer driving the wounded officer the rest of the way to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree — a 15-mile drive.

Reid described Southards as a veteran officer who has been with the department for just under two years.

According to his Facebook page, Southards is a Swain County resident and studied at Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University, where he later worked for the WCU Police Department.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted once it becomes available.