At about 12:01 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a medical call at a business in the 64100 block of US Highway 12 in Darwin Township. The initial information received was that a victim had received a gunshot wound.
When deputies arrived, they found Joseph Bogatzki, 48 of rural Litchfield, with a gunshot wound in his arm. He was transported to Meeker Memorial Hospital by Mayo Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident is under investigation; however, the initial investigation revealed this was an accidental discharge. The victim and his co-workers were dismantling a vehicle when they found a firearm inside the vehicle. While removing and handling the firearm, it discharged and hit the victim.
Sheriff Brian Cruze reminds the public that all firearms should be treated as if they are loaded, and due care needs to be a priority when handling firearms.