LCSO Sergeant Mistakenly Shoots 16-Year-Old Daughter

A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office sergeant reportedly thought he was defending against an intruder when he accidentally shot his 16-year-old daughter early Tuesday morning.

Investigators said Deputy Easton McDonald was getting ready for work when his home alarm system sounded early Tuesday morning, indicating the garage door had been opened. He reportedly heard rustling coming from the garage and obtained an off-duty firearm from the kitchen area.

McDonald reportedly felt the intruder was ”coming at him” and fired the gun, hitting his daughter in her torso.

It was later determined the daughter was attempting to sneak back into the home after leaving earlier that morning, according to Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Donnie Lang.

The incident occurred at the 400 block of Lily’s Way in Winchester around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

McDonald rushed his daughter to Winchester Medical Center but reportedly crashed his car in a single-vehicle accident at the corner of Cork Street and East Lane. Winchester Fire and Rescue were able to transport the girl from the crash to the hospital, where she remains in stable condition, WHAG reports.

McDonald did not sustain any physical injuries as a result of the crash.