JUNEAU -- The man who was accidently shot in the leg Saturday near a gun range on Montana Creek Road had his leg amputated as a result of the accident, according to a family member.
Boyce Bingham, the father of shooting victim Joseph Bingham, 27, said doctors had already removed Joseph's right leg below the knee. On Wednesday, Joseph's birthday, doctors planned to remove the rest of the leg about six inches above the knee, Boyce said by phone.
Joseph was medevacked to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Saturday after the accident. A Juneau Police Department investigation found that Joseph was driving a 2000 Chevy pickup truck on Montana Creek away from the Hank Harmon Rifle Range. A passenger in the vehicle attempted to unload a pistol when it discharged, striking Bingham.
JPD Sgt. Paul Hatch told the Empire on Wednesday morning that the victim and shooter were family members. Boyce Bingham confirmed that the passenger who accidently shot Joseph was Joseph's brother, Seth, 31.
"Basically it was a fun day at the range, but turning back, the weapon was being disassembled, and it accidentally went off," Boyce Bingham said. "It was a mistake, of course."
Seth Bingham immediately reacted to the situation and made a tourniquet for his brother's leg out of materials in the pickup. His father said without the tourniquet, Joseph could have bled out in a matter of minutes.
"Even though his brother shot him, it's also his brother that saved his life," Boyce Bingham said.
The brothers were driving on the roadway when the accident occurred, and JPD and Capital City Fire and Rescue personnel met with the vehicle near Floyd Dryden Middle School, and took Joseph Bingham by ambulance to Bartlett Regional Hospital. He was later flown to Harborview.
Both Bingham brothers have lived in Juneau for about 15 years, the father said. They are both avid hunters in the area, he said. He described Joseph as "a very active guy, snowmachines, four-wheelers."
The family has set up an account with True North Credit Union which will be used to retrofit Joseph's home in Juneau for his new disability. Donations should be submitted under the name "Joseph Bingham."
By EMILY RUSSO MILLER
Juneau Empire