Kansas

Kansas man who shot himself and a bystander at graduation appears in court

The Associated Press
A sign posted in front of Hillier Stadium at Augusta High School state that firearms are not allowed on the school property where two people were shot at a graduation ceremony last May.
A sign posted in front of Hillier Stadium at Augusta High School state that firearms are not allowed on the school property where two people were shot at a graduation ceremony last May. Beccy Tanner The Wichita Eagle

Gary Atherton, the 38-year-old man accused of shooting himself in the foot and injuring a bystander at Augusta High School with a .380-caliber pistol hidden in his sock, made his first appearance in a Butler County courtroom on Wednesday.

Atherton is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery and one misdemeanor count of unlawful discharge of a firearm in a city, according to charging paperwork provided by the Butler County Attorney’s Office.

Police have said Atherton’s gun discharged at Augusta High School’s graduation ceremony on May 15 when he tried to adjust its position in his sock.

A 28-year-old woman who was standing about 50 feet away was also struck by the bullet. She was treated and released from the hospital less than a day later.

Atherton is scheduled to next appear in a Butler County courtroom at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 8.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Kansas man who shot himself and a bystander at graduation appears in court."

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