Dog shoots woman with shotgun at Nebraska gas station

A dog accidentally discharged a shotgun and hit a woman at a Nebraska gas station on Saturday. The blast went through the vehicle and then injured the woman who was sitting at a red light several yards away. 

The event took place just after midday when the truck stopped at Short Stop, a combined gas station and convenience store at 2002 Avenue I, KNOP reported.

The Scottsbluff Police Department said that the dog remained inside the vehicle after the dog's owner stepped into the store. A second person from the truck also exited but lingered next the vehicle, the outlet reported. While alone, the dog moved about in the back seat and made contact with a shotgun that had been left in the truck. The weapon was apparently loaded with a live round in the chamber and fired the shell.

The shot reportedly tore through the passenger-side door, crossed the parking lot, and hit a woman whose car was stopped at a red light a short distance away.

A shotgun pellet struck the upper portion of her right arm, which was resting out the window at the time, according to police. Her condition was not deemed life-threatening, and a relative drove her to Regional West Medical Center for care. No additional injuries were reported from the incident.

Police said the incident was initially reported as involving a BB gun, but responding officers later found out that it involved a shotgun. Authorities said that there was damage to the vehicle’s passenger-side door that came from a shotgun blast. The police are investigating the incident.