BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

A member of the Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club (LASC) was airlifted directly to UNM Medical Center in Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon after he his right hand was seriously injured in an apparent malfunction of his .50 cal. muzzleloader at the rifle range.

According to Los Alamos Deputy Police Chief James Rodriguez, several LAPD officers who were engaged in indoor handgun training at the LASC at the time of the incident. Officers applied tourniquets prior to the arrival of Los Alamos Fire Department medics, and assisted in clearing the landing zone for the medical helicopter.

In communications with members following the incident, LASC officials said the member’s injuries “were not the result of any other member’s actions”.

The rifle range was closed for the rest of the day Tuesday and will remain closed Wednesday,” officials said. They asked everyone to keep the injured member and their family in their thoughts throughout his recovery.

“The LASC Board appreciates the quick action by all Los Alamos County emergency responders. The other LASC members who were at the range at the time of the accident are also to be commended for their situational awareness and quick action in summoning life-saving assistance from law enforcement and EMS,” an email to members said.