Man Charged After Gun Goes off At University

Charleston police say a man is facing charges after his gun accidentally discharged during a children’s swimming lesson. No one was injured.

Chief of Detectives Steve Cooper tells The Charleston Gazette-Mail that 41-year-old Lloyd Simms was charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a school after turning himself in to police Saturday.

The incident occurred Friday evening at the University of Charleston’s physical education building.

According to a criminal complaint, Simms was sitting on a bench and the gun discharged when it “caught on something” as he stood up. Nearly 100 children, including his own, were present at the time.

Although Simms had a concealed carry permit, weapons are not allowed on the university’s campus.