By: Rob Moore
(HELEN) 8-17-14 -Helen Police report one person is dead and another wounded after what appears to be an accidental shooting in Helen Saturday night.
The incident happened around 10:40 p.m. along Main Street (Georgia Highway 75. Helen police officers initially were dispatched to a call of shots fired on North Main Street near the Biergarten. When officers reached the area, they saw a man sitting on a bench with an apparent gunshot wound to his hand. That male was found to be in possession of a small-caliber handgun. Additionally, officers on scene were made aware of an injured woman just across North Main Street.
Sunday morning Helen Police Chief Jim Couch released more details. In a news release he said, “We have a deceased 68-year-of-age female at the Marketplatz. ” overnight. He also said, “Upon rendering aid it was determined that she appeared to also be injured by a gunshot wound to her side.”
Bystanders attempted first aid on the woman before emergency personnel arrived. Chief couch said, ” She was pronounced dead at the scene.” The male was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in and has taken over the investigation, Couch said.
“It was determined that the male had accidentally discharged the weapon into his hand,” Couch said. “The bullet then traveled across Main Street, striking the female victim in the side.” The name of the woman who was killed, a Texas resident, is being withheld pending notification of family members.
The man, 53-year-old Patrick Lampien of Jasper, will be charged by Helen Police Department with involuntary manslaughter, Couch said.
