MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Monongalia County sheriff’s deputy was fired following an accidental firearm discharge at his residence that injured a juvenile on Oct. 2.
According to court records, Deputy Andrew Mounts had a loaded, unsecured AR-15-style rifle, which had the safety disengaged, that discharged inside his apartment, sending a projectile through the ceiling and into the occupied apartment above. One juvenile in the apartment above was injured and was evaluated by EMS workers at the scene.
Mounts was charged with wanton endangerment with a firearm.
Mounts, who was employed as a Monongalia County deputy sheriff at the time of the incident, is no longer employed by the department.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that it remains committed to holding all personnel to the highest standards of conduct and accountability, while on duty as well as off.