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Real bullet hits actor in reenactment

 
Published Oct. 20, 2015

A Tombstone misfire

Real bullet hits actor in reenactment

An actor staging a historical gunfight in the Old West town of Tombstone, Ariz., was shot with a live round during a show that was supposed to use blanks, leading officials to put the popular reenactments on hold.

The shooting happened Sunday as performers from the Tombstone Vigilantes group were portraying a gunfight in the 19th century mining town made famous by Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the O.K. Corral.

A performer's gun fired live rounds, hitting a fellow member of the acting group, the Tombstone Marshal's Office said. Ken Curtis fell to the ground and was flown to a Tucson hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the bullet.

A bystander also was hurt, suffering a small cut to her neck from a ricochet or shrapnel. She did not require medical treatment.

Mayor Dusty Escapule said someone inspects weapons used in the gunfight skits to ensure the performers use blanks. But he said the actor who fired the live rounds showed up late, and his gun was not examined.

Escapule said the town near the U.S.-Mexico border is drawing up an ordinance to provide more regulations for the mock battles.

Associated Press