The Reenactor Post

Civil War Reenactor Faces Felony Aggravated Assault Charges in MD

February 26, 2009 - 5 Comments

by Sarah Barnes

This was posted yesterday in The Evening Sun newspaper. Seems a little extreme for a situation that sounds like a bad joke that got out of hand.  What do you think?

Here’s what happened according to the story:

from Felony charges refiled in re-enactor shooting
By KATHARINE HARMON, The Evening Sun, 02/25/2009

On Aug. 3,The aggravated assault charges previously dropped against the Civil War re-enactor who allegedly shot another re-enactor in the foot in August were refiled last month.Paul J. Sproesser, 44, of Locust Street in Frederick, Md., was originally charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault as well as two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of simple assault for shooting the 17-year-old re-enactor.

Sproesser shot a .69-caliber Springfield black powder rifle point-blank at a piece of canvas over the teen’s foot, court documents said. The rifle was filled only with gunpowder and did not contain a bullet.

The shot resulted in powder burns to two of the teen’s toes and the partial amputation of one, court documents said.

Both re-enactors had just completed a re-enactment at the American Civil War Museum at 297 Steinwehr Ave. The 17-year-old lay on the ground, covered by a piece of canvas tarp, when Sproesser walked past, pointed his rifle and fired.

The gunpowder went through the canvas, through the victim’s leather boot and socks and into his right foot.

In an interview with police, Sproesser said he had walked up to the tarp, pointed the rifle, which he had loaded, at the canvas and fired. He also said he knew the boy was under the tarp, court documents said.

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