No charges for cadet who misfired weapon striking classmate

Authorities won’t charge a police cadet who shot another recruit accidentally at a firing range last month. After an investiagion, the Henry County Sheriff’s office says cadet Casey Huepenbecker unintentionally discharged his 9mm handgun on April 5, striking a fellow cadet. The accidental shooting occurred about 8 p.m. during a break from firearm training at Northwest State Law Enforcement Academy.
The 27-year-old Huepenbecker, of Napoleon, told investigators he performed maintenance on his firearm and was unaware a round had been chambered. He told the deputy he placed his firearm on a table and the gun went off, stricking Marcus Newell of Montpelier in the back as he sat at the table.
Huepenbecker applied pressure to the wound while EMT’s were called. Newell was treated at Henry County Hospital and flown to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center. He has since been released.