Son shoots mother with “un-loaded” pistol

Public Information Officer Debra Johnson told local reporters with Historic City News that deputies in Flagler County investigated the shooting of a Palm Coast woman last night and have ruled it an accident.

No charges are being filed against the victim’s 27 year-old son; who, his mother says, was cleaning his pistol at the dining room table when handgun accidently fired.

The 53 year-old woman, identified as Joy Johnston who resides at 12 Belvedere Lane in Palm Coast, suffered the gunshot wound to her lower back while she was in her kitchen, emptying the dishwasher.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m. Thursday evening, Todd Johnston told deputies that he sat down to clean his gun; having gone to the shooting range earlier in the day. Johnston said that he thought the firearm was unloaded.

In order to remove the slide on the pistol for cleaning, he pulled the trigger and the weapon fired.

Johnston’s mother was transported to Halifax Hospital for treatment of her injury and the gun was taken by deputies on the scene, for safekeeping.