J.P. KEN TOFEL RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER ACCIDENTAL FIREARM DISCHARGE

  

A Washington County Justice of the Peace has been released from the hospital, after accidentally shooting himself in the hand.

The incident occurred in the courthouse office of Precinct 3 J.P. Ken Tofel Thursday morning, around 8:50 a.m.

According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Tofel was handling a semi-auto handgun when it discharged, striking him in his left hand.

He was reported to have received a minor injury, which was treated at a Bryan hospital.  He was released from the hospital the same day.

What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0

7 Comments

  1. Thank you Joh Deans for your comments. Everything you stated about Judge Tofel is correct and true. Mistakes happen and thank God no one else was hurt and his injuries were minor.

  2. Thank God no one else was injured due to his negligence. When you choose to take out a loaded gun, you owe everyone an added duty of safety.

  3. Captain Tofel has been handling guns for a half century now. It only takes one mistake for an accidental discharge. Sheepdogs protect us with guns. After handing numerous firearms over decades thousands of times the odds catch up with anyone. It was a minor injury and NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT.

    As a firearms instructor and a gun range operator, I have had numerous scary experiences with guns accidentally pointed at me. This is Not Bad-mitten. Mistakes happen. We learn from them.

    Captain Tofel, now JP Tofel, taught my son Dustin firearms safety and how to shoot in the MCROTC program at Brenham HS. This training from JP Tofel helped keep my son stay alive in Irag as an Army long range recon scout doing numerous missions in Iraq, near Iran, and in Syria in 2006. Tofel’s guidance and wisdom helped him through FOUR IED attacks and other bad incidents he still does not talk about today.

    God Forbid, if there is ever an active shooter at the Washington County Courthouse, I’d want JP Tofel there ARMED and ready to solve that problem!

    Thank You JP/Captain Tofel!

    1. Saw a lot of military careers ended by this exact mistake. All officers, too. Usually lieutenants, with the odd captain or major ending up passed over. Zero tolerance.

  4. The police scanner said that he was cleaning his gun in his office at the courthouse when it went off.

  5. Is bringing a loaded gun to work permitted by law? Would each and every courthouse employee be permitted to be armed while working, or only judges?