fireworks

Vermont Man Mistook Fireworks for Guns, Accidentally Shot Self in Leg

A Vermont man who allegedly mistook the sound of fireworks for gunfire and opened fire inside a South Burlington gun store now faces state and federal charges.

Police say they responded to Dattilio's Guns and Tackle Friday afternoon after a report that a customer had been wounded by gunfire. WPTZ-TV reports 41-year-old Donald Banks, of St. Albans, was treated at the scene for a minor leg wound.

Police said Tuesday that the man mistook fireworks going off across the street for gunfire, causing him to open fire. Store owner Vince Dattalio says Banks is a regular customer accidentally shot himself via a ricocheting bullet.

No one else was injured. The suspect faces a federal charge of unlawful weapon possession and a state charge of reckless endangerment. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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