Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - As many prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, Chesterfield police are reminding people that celebratory gunfire is highly dangerous and illegal in the state of Virginia.
The reminder comes on the ten-year anniversary of the death of Brendon Mackey, a seven-year-old who was struck by a stray bullet someone fired into the air at a fireworks show near Brandermill. The fatality led to the passage of "Brendon's Law," a law making it illegal to fire a gunshot into the air. If a bullet hits someone, the shooter could face felony charges.
"We want people to celebrate safely and go to fireworks, cook out with their family, things of that nature," says Corporal Craig Eckrich, CCPD. "But [celebratory gunfire] is extremely dangerous. People can get hurt or killed."
