The chief deputy of the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office has been placed on paid administrative leave after his AR-15 duty rifle accidentally discharged last week in the parking lot of MacArthur Early Childhood Center in Macomb.
“This should have never happened,” Sheriff Nick Petitgout said in a release. “The safety and security of students and school personnel is our highest priority. We are grateful that no one was physically harmed, but we recognize the concern and fear this caused within the community.”
Chief Deputy Adam Cremer was moving a folding table in the back of his squad vehicle late Thursday afternoon when it bumped the rear of the rifle, causing the weapon to discharge.
An initial investigation by the Macomb Police Department found the rifle was stored in secure weapon lock in the vehicle, but with a loaded magazine, a round in the chamber, and the safety lever in the “fire” position.
The manufacturer recommends the weapon be stored unloaded and with the lever in the “safe” position.
Petitgout said in addition to placing Cremer on leave, the sheriff’s office is having an outside agency investigate the incident and will conduct a comprehensive review of its firearm handling policies.
MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 235 W. Grant St., houses around 130 students ages three to five years old, according to the school district’s website.
Several people, including students, were attending a cookout nearby when Cremer’s weapon discharged.
Petitgout also pledged to implement a safety audit of law enforcement practices in and around schools, and to keep the community informed as the review of this incident progresses.
“Our words alone are not enough. You deserve not just accountability, but real assurance that this will not happen again,” Petitgout said in the release.
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