LIMA – A Lima man has been charged with possession of a firearm in a school after a weapon in his coat pocket accidentally discharged Wednesday evening at Bath High School.
According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the school at approximately 7 p.m. Wednesday in response to a weapon being fired. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials learned that Garry L. Tabler Jr., 49, was attending a basketball referees’ meeting at the school and accidentally discharged the weapon, which was in his coat pocket. There were no injuries.
While authorities from the sheriff’s office do not believe there was any criminal intent in firing the weapon, Tabler was arrested for possession of a firearm in a school, according to the statement.
Tabler, the varsity boys soccer coach at Lima Central Catholic High School, has yet to make an appearance in Lima Municipal Court, a spokeperson from the clerk of court’s office said Thursday.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing and is being handled by the sheriff’s office detective bureau. The results of that investigation will be submitted to an Allen County grand jury at a later date, officials said.
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