11-25-2007, 03:34 PM
Boy accidentally shot with Venice officer's gun returns home
By LATISHA R. GRAY
latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com
VENICE -- A 5-year-old boy who was accidentally shot by his stepfather, a Venice police officer, was released from the hospital and was recovering at home on Friday.
Jayrd Webber was shot in the left hip by the officer, Billy Masters. Jayrd, who was treated at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities said Masters was at the department's firing range at Wellfield Park, 1300 Ridgewood Road.
Masters and at least two other officers were doing annual qualifications with their pistols.
Jayrd's mother, Stephanie Webber, who also works at the Venice Police Department, brought the boy with her to the range about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday to pick up Masters.
Authorities said Masters was cleaning his 9-millimeter Glock handgun in a training room at the time of the shooting.
He was taking the gun apart and did not know a round was still in the chamber, authorities said.
The gun fired and the bullet ricocheted before it struck Jayrd.
"Everything is fine," Stephanie Webber said Friday. "That's all I have to say. My family is doing fine."
Webber, who was married to Masters on Oct. 29, according to court records, declined further comment.
Masters is an officer in the department's K-9 unit, according to the city's Web site. Webber is in communications.
It is unclear how long either has worked at the department.
Venice Police spokesman Capt. Tom McNulty did not return phone calls on Friday.
Masters was disciplined in the past for a gun-related incident, according to reports.
In September 2002, a fellow officer and friend said Masters got angry and pointed a handgun at him at close range from his patrol car.
Masters denied the episode occurred, but the other officer passed a polygraph test. Masters was suspended for five days.
Investigators said Masters brandished the gun, but it was unclear if he actually pointed the weapon.
Reports stated that Masters was removed from the K-9 unit in September 2002 for behavior unbecoming of a police officer.
It is unclear when he returned to the unit.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting.
By LATISHA R. GRAY
latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com
VENICE -- A 5-year-old boy who was accidentally shot by his stepfather, a Venice police officer, was released from the hospital and was recovering at home on Friday.
Jayrd Webber was shot in the left hip by the officer, Billy Masters. Jayrd, who was treated at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities said Masters was at the department's firing range at Wellfield Park, 1300 Ridgewood Road.
Masters and at least two other officers were doing annual qualifications with their pistols.
Jayrd's mother, Stephanie Webber, who also works at the Venice Police Department, brought the boy with her to the range about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday to pick up Masters.
Authorities said Masters was cleaning his 9-millimeter Glock handgun in a training room at the time of the shooting.
He was taking the gun apart and did not know a round was still in the chamber, authorities said.
The gun fired and the bullet ricocheted before it struck Jayrd.
"Everything is fine," Stephanie Webber said Friday. "That's all I have to say. My family is doing fine."
Webber, who was married to Masters on Oct. 29, according to court records, declined further comment.
Masters is an officer in the department's K-9 unit, according to the city's Web site. Webber is in communications.
It is unclear how long either has worked at the department.
Venice Police spokesman Capt. Tom McNulty did not return phone calls on Friday.
Masters was disciplined in the past for a gun-related incident, according to reports.
In September 2002, a fellow officer and friend said Masters got angry and pointed a handgun at him at close range from his patrol car.
Masters denied the episode occurred, but the other officer passed a polygraph test. Masters was suspended for five days.
Investigators said Masters brandished the gun, but it was unclear if he actually pointed the weapon.
Reports stated that Masters was removed from the K-9 unit in September 2002 for behavior unbecoming of a police officer.
It is unclear when he returned to the unit.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting.