Dog accidentally fires shotgun, striking woman yards away during chaotic gas station stop
Shotgun pellet struck the woman's arm as it rested out her car window at a nearby traffic light

By Bonny Chu | Fox News
Published May 26, 2026 12:14am EDT

A dog reportedly triggered a shotgun inside a truck during a stop at a Nebraska gas station Saturday, sending a blast through the vehicle and injuring a woman in another vehicle several yards away, according to local reports, citing Nebraska authorities.

The incident unfolded shortly after noon when the vehicle pulled into Short Stop, a gas station and convenience store, located at 2002 Avenue I, KNOP reported.

According to the Scottsbluff Police Department, the dog remained inside the vehicle after the owner stepped into the store. Another passenger riding along also stepped outside but stayed near the front passenger-side door, the outlet said.

During that time, the dog reportedly moved around in the rear seat area and came into contact with a shotgun stored in the vehicle. The firearm appeared to have a live round in the chamber and was discharged after being triggered, the authorities indicated.

The blast reportedly passed through the vehicle’s front passenger-side door, traveled out of the parking lot, and struck a woman who was stopped at a nearby traffic light several yards away.

Police said a shotgun pellet struck the upper portion of her right arm, which was resting out the window at the time, according to KNOP.

Her injuries were not considered life-threatening, and a family member transported her to Regional West Medical Center for treatment, the outlet added.

No other injuries were reported.

Police said the incident was initially reported as involving a BB gun, but responding officers were later informed that it involved a shotgun, according to the outlet.

Investigators also noted damage to the vehicle’s passenger-side door consistent with a shotgun blast, KNOP added.

The Scottsbluff Police Department will continue to investigate the incident.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Scottsbluff Police Department for more information.

I don’t have the proper words. Someone help me out here.

bird shot?

^^^^
(snicker!)

quote:

Another passenger riding along also stepped outside but stayed near the front passenger-side door, the outlet said.

During that time, the dog reportedly moved around in the rear seat area and came into contact with a shotgun stored in the vehicle. The firearm appeared to have a live round in the chamber and was discharged after being triggered, the authorities indicated.

The blast reportedly passed through the vehicle’s front passenger-side door, traveled out of the parking lot, and struck a woman who was stopped at a nearby traffic light several yards away.

How lucky was the front seat passenger getting out of the vehicle considering where the shot went through the car....

Yet again. I first heard of an incident like this in my 1960s teens.
Characterizations omitted.

In the article I read it stated that having a loaded shotgun in your vehicle in Nebraska was illegal. Is that true? I read it in the Guardian. It must be true.

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
In the article I read it stated that having a loaded shotgun in your vehicle in Nebraska was illegal. Is that true? I read it in the Guardian. It must be true.

It is. Must be unloaded and in a case. Now a rifle have at it!!! If it is a handgun have at it!!!

Dogs seem to shoot folks with shotguns with alarming regularity. Man’s best friend my ass.

Police released a photo of the shooter.

I think there was a case in VA about 25-30 yrs ago where a loaded rifle (in a case, IIRC) in a truck discharged while the truck was getting hooked up to a tow truck and I think the shot killed a cop.