Duo Charged In Accidental Gun Discharge At NJ Motel

WILDWOOD CREST, NJ - A Pennsylvania duo were charged with weapons offenses after a handgun was accidentally discharged in a South Jersey motel room, authorities said.

Alexander Wiederhold, 30 and Sabrina Sweed, 29 of Frackville PA, were both charged with possession of a high capacity magazine and possession of hollow point bullets. Wiederhold was additionally charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and endangering the welfare of a child, as the handgun was discharged as Wiederhold was walking next to a six-year-old, Wildwood Crest police said.

The charges stem from a May 18 incident at a motel in Wildwood Crest in which, at around 4:14 p.m., Wiederhold discharged the handgun accidentally while carrying it in his waistband and lifted bags into the motel room, police said.

As a result, Wiederhold suffered from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and was later transported to Atlantic City Medical Center.

An investigation later found that the handgun was registered to Sweed and contained a high-capacity magazine and hollow point ammunition, police said. Neither possessed a concealed carry permit.