Accidental shooting at business comes dangerously closing to hitting customer

Rome Police announce that two men have been arrested following an accidental shooting at a business that came dangerously close to hitting a customer.

According to authorities, 56-year-old Ricky J. Hoke and 45-year-old Edward F. Lemmon Jr. are now facing reckless endangerment charges.

While at Hoke's business, Hoke Auto Sales on Erie Boulevard, he was showing Lemmon a recently purchased handgun around 9:30 a.m.

Hoke handed Lemmon the weapon, who pointed the gun at the office wall and pulled the trigger, authorities describe.

Law enforcement officials say the bullet passed through the wall into the parking lot, passing through the sleeve and stomach area of a customer's coat. The male customer was not injured.

Rome Police Detective Commander Timothy Bates told NEWSChannel 2 that Hoke and Lemmon are friends. Bates also said the men removed the magazine from the gun but were unaware of a bullet in a chamber.

Hoke and Lemmon are scheduled to appear in Rome City Court at a later date.

The weapon, which was determined to have been possessed legally, has been secured by police.

The Rome paper said it was reported a couple hours later. I wonder why. It leaves me with several questions. I think Lemmon was stupid. You NEVER point and shoot a gun where someone can get hurt. It could be loaded. We teach our children that at a very young age. But why did it take so long to report? Who was almost shot? I don't remember if the paper gave his name but I think it did not. Did they try to buy him off and later decide to report it? Did this customer try to blackmail them? Or did the customer go home,shoot holes in his jacket and return? Maybe it did happen the way it was reported but why did it take so long to report? How could it actually go through the stomach and sleeve and not hit the person? If it did I would be thanking God if I were him,that's for sure.

Go to sleep grumpy.

I just wonder if u can b charged with "stupidity"? Maybe u will get a free bullet-proof vest with every vehicle purchased!! Have to admit...it is "catchy":)

Go to sleep wrote:

Go to sleep grumpy.

Didn't you know? Crazy people don't sleep. Haha We are too busy plotting our revenge.

Hoke is one of Fusco's scum bag friends. Lemmon probably is too. The poor decision making doesn't surprise me.

Hmmm, intentionally pulling the trigger and its being called accidental? Sounds legit.

His aim would probably be better if he had more customers to practice on....oh well...he can always visit his competitors....:)

hank hill wrote:

Hmmm, intentionally pulling the trigger and its being called accidental? Sounds legit.

Should have checked the chamber.

KY WELLER wrote:

<quoted text>Should have checked the chamber.

It said the one guy was showing it off. Kinda figured taking it apart was part of that. I don't know much about guns. Sorry.

Not the only shots fired in Romelast week. Lori Lane RiverSide apartments on Floyd Ave., had renter report that he dropped his bag with his loaded 22 in it qand shot himself in the ankle...? I want this guy for my neighbor NOT!
What if that shot had gone into and adjoining apartment and hit some innocent person? Who called the police on this one?

KY WELLER wrote:

<quoted text>Should have checked the chamber.

Come on KY, you know that would be too easy. Hoke will be dam lucky if this guy does not sue his ass, and end up owning all the cars he has there. Not that they are worth a shit to start with, but scrap metal prices are going up again so he might make out better. By the way. I know Rick reads this all the time so Rick that was about the second dumbest things you have done yet.

Lol wrote:

<quoted text>
Come on KY, you know that would be too easy. Hoke will be dam lucky if this guy does not sue his ass, and end up owning all the cars he has there. Not that they are worth a shit to start with, but scrap metal prices are going up again so he might make out better. By the way. I know Rick reads this all the time so Rick that was about the second dumbest things you have done yet.

The guy can't sue,there weren't any injuries. The biggest mistake was letting Eddie point and click with his piece...

How funny is it that this incident involved a small car dealership that looks like a lemonade stand and the guy involved is named lemon lol. I don't know much about the place but that red Camaro has been there forever. They probably want way to much for it.

You are all idiots I think u all need to stay off this site and worry about yourselfs you all act like you have never made mistakes before yeah this could have killed someone but no 1 was so get over it

KEEP YOUR BOOGER HOOK OF THE BANG SWITCH!!!!! DuMmY....

lmmfao....Are you stupid...because they GOT LUCKY no one was hurt or killed, no big deal get over it? GTFO!!!

Never put yourself in the position of saying "I didn't know it was loaded."

frankcor wrote:

Never put yourself in the position of saying "I didn't know it was loaded."

Really Frankie...did Mayor Cluelesss teach you that.....but now the story is staarting to come together...he is one of the Fusco flunkie!LIKE YOU ARE!

KY WELLER wrote:

<quoted text>Should have checked the chamber.

REALLY....all that KY in the BUTT is affecting your BRAIN!