At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Nov 24, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an accidental injury call at Shooters World located at 116 E Fletcher Avenue. A female patron was at the range shooting when a shell casing went down her shirt. She reacted by lowering the firearm in her hand, but accidentally turned the muzzle towards a range safety instructor who was working with her. The instructor was struck in the right upper thigh and transported to Tampa General Hospital.
Eric Anthony Hall, 42, rented the Glock 9mm Semi-automatic pistol that he and his female associate were shooting with at the range, despite Hall having three prior felony convictions. Felons are not allowed to be in possession of a firearm, even if that firearm is rented.
The Shooters World instructor shot by the woman ultimately had to have his leg amputated due to his injury.
Hall has been charged with Felon in Possession of Firearm. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which could lead to additional federal charges for Hall.
"It's infuriating to know that this tragedy could have been prevented, and an innocent person would not have been injured, had Eric Hall followed the law as a convicted felon and not rented the weapon to begin with," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "While this victim's life is changed forever because of Hall's decision, I hope that we can bring him some level of justice by making sure the person responsible is prosecuted for his careless actions."