WAYNESBORO, Ga. - Authorities in eastern Georgia say a sheriff's deputy responding to a fire was wounded as a loaded gun stashed inside the burning building went off in the intense heat.
The Augusta Chronicle reports Burke County Deputy Jay Hollingsworth underwent surgery Friday night. Sheriff's officials said the bullet missed his vital organs.
A statement from the sheriff's office says Hollingsworth was wounded as he responded to a structure fire outside the town of Sardis on Friday afternoon. Authorities say a gun stored inside the building discharged and the bullet struck the deputy.
Officials say Sheriff Gregory Coursey found the wounded deputy to be alert at the hospital Friday and spoke to him before Hollingsworth went into surgery.