Mark and Lisa Solomon are both recovering from gunshot wounds
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CENTRALIA – They call it the devil gun.
Mark and Lisa Solomon were both momentarily stunned by a loud bang and ringing as they sat inside their Ford Ranger pickup.
She saw his bloody right hand and didn’t realize she’d been hit in the upper thigh by a 9 mm round.
He saw his wife of 15 years holding her left leg and realized she’d been shot.
“I was worried about her,” he said. “I was trying to put a sweatshirt on it.”
His hand was just numb, he said. Mark Solomon is left handed.
One bullet, two holes and injuries that are still healing.
It happened in late February, in the parking lot at Sunbird Shopping Center in Chehalis.
The 40-year-old Centralia man had just purchased a new holster for his handgun and was behind the wheel of his truck, his wife in the passenger seat, he said. Before they drove away, he was putting his pistol into what he called a paddle holster and the gun discharged, he said.
The bullet traveled through his right hand and lodged in her thigh.
Lisa Solomon spent five days at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Her femur was broken in three places, she said.
Doctors installed a titanium rod that extends from her hip to her knee. It will be about two more weeks before she’s allowed to put any weight on it, she said. For now, she uses a walker.
Mark Solomon’s right hand is still somewhat swollen, and it’s sore when he moves his fingers, he said.
He was only off work for a week. He’s part of a crew that makes bread for Subway restaurants at Millard Refrigeration in Centralia.
Both are grateful the other wasn’t hurt worse, but they’re puzzled about the criminal charge he now faces.
He is charged in Chehalis Municipal Court with reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and / or a fine of $10,250. He pleaded not guilty last week.
It was an accident, they said.
“What people don’t understand, is I’m legal to have a loaded pistol,” Mark Solomon said.
“The round never left the vehicle, so it’s not reckless,” he said. “It’s not like it ended up in Centralia, or blew through the windshield, or whizzed by a kid’s leg.”
He said he’s had a concealed weapon permit since 2008, as well as for a few years in the mid-1990s. He just got the 9 mm Kel-Tec three or four months ago.
He’s not impressed with the weapon, or the hard plastic holster he bought.
The pistol has an internal automatic safety, he said. It’s not like his other handgun, with an external safety he can turn on or off, he said.
“What I did, I grabbed the butt of the pistol and put it in, and something got the trigger,” he said. “I didn’t touch the trigger, it caught on something.”
Chehalis police have said they didn’t find any intent to do harm, but that no one should be handling a loaded firearm in a public place like a busy parking lot, nor should a gun’s barrel be pointed at anyone unless one intends to shoot them.
Given a chance to do that day over, Mark Solomon said he’d probably wait until he got home, and unload his weapon before checking out how it fit in the holster, he said.
“It was kind of like a new toy, I wanted to try it out,” he said.
But that doesn’t change, that what occurred was an accident, he said.
Lisa Solomon has a doctor’s appointment on April 24, when she expects to be told she can walk without the aid of a walker.
Mark Solomon will be back in court, with a public defender that same day.
They’re both anxious for the outcome of his court case.
What they do know for sure though, is they don’t want the Kel-Tec back in their lives.
“If I get the gun back, I’m gonna get rid of it,” he said. “I don’t want it around.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Now, like I posted earlier, Our Sheriff got alot of people riled up about how “homeowners” should all go out and get guns to protect their homes and lives. He coulda started an epidemic of accidental shootings, and was lucky he didnt. Sirens comments on that article were a shitload of people saying…”yeah, lets get a gun, sheriff is right” Tell me now, if it had been one of those people who had done this, instead of Mark Solomon, what would the fucking prosecutor have done? NOTHING, because it happened out of lack of common sense on the Sheriffs part. Sweep it under the rug, as usual. Leave Solomons alone, they are not strung out druggies, or users or abusers. Shit, they are decent people. Prosecutor, you are not a hero for doing this to them.
And to the guy who was putting down Solomon for his spelling, dont be throwing mud, not everyone can be as perfect as you. Jackass.
Your rather contradictory there OLJ….Stop wasting the tax payers money on a public pretender you say??? If he is a public “pretender”, I would say thats already a waste of the tax payers money, not to mention Mark Solomons time and freedom. You are obviously just an old fuck who has nothing better to do than to voice your retarded fucking opinions on Sirens cause you are severely bitter about god only knows what. Nearly every other comment is yours, on nearly every every article. And all you do is bitch or argue. Go to sleep, take a break, get a psychiatrist. Your shit is getting old.
And besides, why not just take responsibility for his actions?
Instead Solomos wants to waste taxpayer money on a court-appointed public pretender while wasting the court’s time when that time and money could be better spent on REAL cases.
Quit being such a crybaby, accept responsibility for your actions, and move on with your lives. Be a MAN.
RCW 9A.36.050
Reckless endangerment.
(1) A person is guilty of reckless endangerment when he or she recklessly engages in conduct not amounting to drive-by shooting but that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person.
It sounds to me like Solomon’s irresponsibilty and carelessness with a loaded firearm resulted in his wife being shot. The charge OBVIOUSLY fits the case.
Stupid F*&kers, LOOK UP WHAT THE LAW SAYS FOR “RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT”! what he did doesn’t classify as it, whether it was stupid or not. Gosh, I swear some real penis deprived men and women on this board. LOL
Last thing. He, as well as any one else who holds a permit to carry, should be held accountable for their potentially deadly mistakes.
The moment a bullet leaves the barrel of the gun, the person who discharged the weapon is responsible for that bullet.
I hope state law mandates a person must surrender their concealed weapon permit when the gun owner clearly demonstrates they are not capable of sound judgement when handling a fire arm in public.
Wow. Their last name is Solomon. After reading Mr. Solomon’s posts
misspellings and all, I can now better understand how this misadventure happened. But…he actually qualified for a concealed to carry permit?
OLD LONG JOHNSON there is no life insurance on me. It was an accident not on purpose.
Punctuation…it’s very hard to read with out it!
Sinister? Holy conspiracy theory Batman! Calm down Sherlock. Yes Solomon is quite the criminal mastermind….somehow getting people hes never met, to see this his way, and feel bad that he accidentally shot the woman he loves. I think it’s time for a sandwich and a nap OLJ.
How*
OLJ u r an angry little man and I’m sorry no one will give u a gun to balance out ur…uh lets say shortcomings. Ur theory about him trying to shoot his wife on purpose is almost as ridiculous as ur entire view on guns. If people want guns to commit crimes, please believe they get them, and they sure as shit don’t apply for a license. I really don’t know what else to say besides have a glass of wine and maybe a couple xannies. If ur so infuriated about all this and how others opinions differ from ur own, start a support group or teach a class on hiw the whole world should think like u. Or if u just want to fight with people get on FB…there’s plenty of drama there.
OH YEA, AND “OLD LONG JOHNSON” should maybe come back from the last “Civil War” because it is disrespectful of you to insult women as you have done in your statements and comments on this subject, about being around a loaded firearm, I bet you there are several women that can out shoot your dumb ass.
I think that if the wife says it is an accident, well then this is what it is and no other harm was done, and they have to pay their own Doctor bills, and 5 days in the hospital is a lot of money. The man has a concealed weapons permit, they both look happy to be alive, and to be together, then IT IS NO BODY ELSE BUSINESS WHY, or WHAT!!!!! There was no damage to the city, people, or public place, You people can’t continue to think this and state that, and why would you when it does not or has not concerned you. For God Sakes, WTF is wrong with you people, and you f”ing cops. Let us all live on the WOULD A, COULD A, and SHOULD A’S, THE F ‘ING WHAT IF’S.
Is there no such thing any more as an accident for fuck sakes. Everybody is sue happy, money hungry, get ’em, get ’em. THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOCIETY AND LAW NOW A DAYS. MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!! TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR SELVES, LOOK IN THE MIRROR. OR CAN YOU?
This ill be my last post iam not on here to ruffle feathers or get spypathy the reason I did this interview was to get my side of the story for one the first paper said I was in the parking lot nom I was in my truck 2nd yes made a bad mistake I will admit 3rd trying to kill my wife who ever thinks that are a fucking idiot and don’t no me so take your view on that one and stick it ride up your ass with that people who no me I would never even raise my hand to my wife I was raised to respect women so thanks for the ones who have gave me back up on here or even agreed accidents do happen weather you say it wont well iam done with the comments have a great day
Hey OLJ just remember “when seconds count the police are just minutes away” every responsible adult with no criminal or mental health history has the right to be armed and to protect themselves andothers. That does not in any way relieve that person from dealing with the legal ramifications if they are irresponsible with that firearm. Your arguments are invalid!
Old Long Johnson says:
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 9:40 am
“Keeping a loaded gun with no safety around where there are women and children is beyond dumb.”
Sooo, are women the same mentality as children, that they should not be around guns or be allowed access? Or that as long as guys shoot other guys, but not women and children, it is okay? Is it disrespectful to have firearms around women? WT???
“I think the guy tried to kill his wife for insurance and injured himself to throw off suspicion, but was stupid to realize the bullet would ricochet off his bones and he would miss.”
Sounds like a Coen brothers movie.
I honestly think that the way you people are trying to spin this as Solomon being the “victim” and deserving of “public support”, there is something more sinister going on.
I think the guy tried to kill his wife for insurance and injured himself to throw off suspicion, but was stupid to realize the bullet would ricochet off his bones and he would miss.
He’s lucky he’s not being charged with attempted manslaughter.
What a doofus! Throw the book at his dumb ass.
“I don’t normally verbally assault people on here but OLJ u are an effing idiot. Police don’t do their jobs that’s why people need guns u nimrod.”
You act like Lewis County is a war zone. You’re just as big of an asshole as the idiot who shot his wife.
And your logic is that since the police aren’t doing their “jobs”, then it’s best to give a gun to the biggest and dumbest idiot in the county.
Smart thinking there. By your logic, his wife being shot was just an acceptable part of being armed in public.
I don’t understand the logic of “It was an accident” so he shouldn’t be charged. If any of you have caused an auto accident and was charged (received a ticket), do you think you could go before the judge and say it was an accident and get it dismissed. Or you accidently drink too much and get a DUI. Try telling the judge it was accident.
Sometimes bad stuff happens and you have to take your lumps. Mr Solomon, you should concentrate on your wife recovering and be happy it wasn’t worse. The rest will work itself out.
Olj……u seem angry do u need a hug?u are quite the outspoken flaming idiot!
I don’t normally verbally assault people on here but OLJ u are an effing idiot. Police don’t do their jobs that’s why people need guns u nimrod. He’s not asking for nor is he getting sympathy…I just think it’s BS he’s being charged because he and his wife have enough shit to deal with.
Hi! to ur and ur lady beenthere
“To charge Mr. Solomon would be another BLATANT wrongdoing on the part of Lewis County.”
To allow Solomon the right to bear arms would also be another BLATANT wrongdoing.
I’ve lived in some pretty rough neighborhoods and I’ve never been the victim of a violent crime. Ever.
So for anyone to argue that a complete nobody living in Lewis County no less, needs a gun loaded, cocked, and ready to shoot a human being is senseless.
If you lived in Iraq or Afghanistan then yeah. But keep the guns at home and let the police do their jobs.
What’s even funnier is how the guy who shot his wife “on accident” is online seeking sympathy and attention and there’s enough idiots to give it to him.
Lewis County, where a husband can shoot his wife and then demand respect and sympathy from the online community.
You poor poor little irresponsible gun owner.
Do you need a hug?
(Dominoe) Im a UHaul type of person).
Now wont the husband be able to also use this against the wife for the rest of thier life too? I mean he can always say, “Honey, remember the time I shot you?”, maybe like when she wont get out the bathroom when he has to go real bad. Now thats funny!
Remember when that “intruder” was shot the night he walked into a home on Nix Road? How he basically “justified” the underhanded tactics used by the Sheriff and the “homeowners”,(lucky for them I’d say) and how the Sheriff glorified the situation by adamantly advising that every “homeowner” should have a gun?
The Sheriff practically had every idiot in town going out and buying guns! Look at the comments right here on Sirens!
The prosecuter should be happy they didnt have gun related “mishaps” happening all over the place, all due to the Sheriff trying to come out looking like a hero instead of the head of a vigilante gang.
Mr. Solomon was a responsible gun bearing citizen for a long time. He admitted he was excited and used very bad judgement. He and his wife have paid enough. They are good citizens. If I were the Prosecutor, I think the smart thing to do would be to just let this quietly go by rather that place charges on Mr. Soloman.
Thanks to the Sheriff, the Prosecutor ought to just thank his lucky stars there wasnt a rash of accidental shootings.
To charge Mr. Solomon would be another BLATANT wrongdoing on the part of Lewis County.
So funny how Dumb Asses give their opinion about this when they HAVE NO FRIGGIN IDEA ABOUT THE GUN!!!! Armchair quarterbacks you all are, educate yourself. Many sub compacts now don’t have a safety! Built into the trigger means it has a long, stiffer trigger pull. I had an LCP but I never liked carrying it chambered because of this. I got rid of it and have a SCCY-2 now.
Now, Reckless Endangerment under RCW 9A.36.050 is :(1) “A person is guilty of reckless endangerment when he or she recklessly engages in conduct not amounting to drive-by shooting but that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person.”
This was accidental, albeit careless, not premeditated so it should be dropping
Mark, I hope u and ur wife recover well and that everyone gets off ur back. I see a lot of people throwing stones at u without good cause. If ur wife can forgive u, y can’t the ones outside looking in, let her do that with u in peace? Plus like Bobbylynn said, u r never going to truely live this down with her! JK. I think u all have paid enough. I hope the charges against u r dropped. Good luck.
To OLJ: Why was the gun loaded? Duh! carrying an empty gun is pretty useless. If you think you have time to load while you are being attacked you are mistaken. It does seem there should have been more familiarity with the weapon but again only he and his wife were injured. It should be kept between them.
She will have this to use for many years to come. You know how wives are…do you remember the time you didn;t take me to the movies when you promised?” Now it will be remember teh time you shot me? I am kidding of course. It is between them.
Well said DOMINOE
OLJ he has a concealed weapon permit. That means he keeps it on him..and as he said, in a holster, loaded. While u may not agree with how he carries his weapon, it is his right to carry it loaded if he feels it necessary. I think guns with internal safety are retarded and this is why. He bought a type of gun he had never handled, and it was a clear mistake. Also OLJ why the hell should he have to.plead guilty in order to prove he’s sorry?! So he can pay the LC legal system to demonstrate his remorse?! I think he and his wife have paid enough…he’s got her medical bills to think of, and shouldn’t be worried about a fine to the city. His wife believes he didn’t do it on purpose…shouldn’t that be enough for everyone? I mean for fucks sake…what I can tell u is, if I were going to shoot my S.O. cuz.I was pissed at him… it wouldn’t be in the leg, ya dig?
Beenthere: Hi,… do I know u?
To OLD LONG the safety was internal if you don’t know what that means then do not reply to the post about safety a lot of guns have a external safety allowing you to manually put it on and off.
The GUN had an internal safety switch….must have failed. I think the gun should be recalled. Hi DOMINO.
If his wife of 15 years has forgiven him for this accident, what does it matter what others think?? If the bullet had hit someone else at random, I can understand the charges.. but since it is his wife, I believe she should have say in weather or not charges should be made against him. I think all of you who say he should be punished would be saying other wise if it were you in his position. He already has to live with the pain inside himself of knowing that he hurt his wife. Shouldn’t that be punishment enough?
Keep in mind that the husband most likely did not wake up that morning and think ” today what will I do? Hmm I think that I will take the wife to Sunbirds and shoot us both and make it look like an accident.” For those of you who think there’s more to it and that he should “pay”. Wake up and remember that accidents happen. Not every situation is black or white….there are several shades of gray. Lewis County is a long way from Mayberry, but we aren’t on Perry Mason either.
It was an accident plain and simple. Mark would never do anything to hurt me on purpose. He is a good man who made a mistake. A mistake that he has learned from. I am not mad at him for what has happened nor will I ever be mad at him. When we did the interview with the news reporter it was to get a few things straightened out that the first report had mistaken.
“Also OLJ, as explained in the article, the gun had no external safety mechanism.”
If the gun lacked a safety mechanism, then why was it LOADED?
Keeping a loaded gun with no safety around where there are women and children is beyond dumb.
Also OLJ, as explained in the article, the gun had no external safety mechanism.
shoot*** shoot his wife
If his wife (yeah the one who was shot) is standing by his side, what should the rest of us (including the LC justice system…thats an oxymoron if I ever heard one) have to say about it? Suspend his gun license and make him take a couple additional gun safety classes and let him and his wife move on. He has to obviously pay her hospital bills not to mention his own, so no restitution should apply, and a fine for what? So LC can make more money off it’s citizens? Exactly. Because that’s what it’s all about… money. Come on OLJ, if he was going to spot his wife on purpose and then try to make it look like an accident, why would he shoot her in the leg, and himself in the hand in the process? Is he that much of a criminal mastermind that rational thoughts can’t explain his actions? He’s careless at best and a dipshit at worst. How about law enforcement does their fucking jobs and works on catching real criminals. Oh yea cuz that costs too much money and effort on their part… they only bother with the ones who fall into their laps and the ones they catch thru junkies selling eachother out.
“Thanks to you all who stand by me iam sorry for what happen and wish I could take it back you never no till it happens to you and listen to people on her talk shit.”
First of all, if you were TRULY SORRY, you would accept responsibility, plead guilty and MOVE ON.
The fact you are now here online fueling the flames of debate says a lot about your character.
People like you should not be allowed to own a firearm. The fact you shot your wife on accident, or tried to make it look like an accident, should bar you from ever owning a gun again.
I’m wondering, have you ever heard of a “safety switch”? And if so, why wasn’t yours engaged when you were putting your pistol away?
So, if he’s not guilty of an accident, he shot her on purpose right? What if she was killed? Would THAT have been an accident too?
Thanks to you all who stand by me iam sorry for what happen and wish I could take it back you never no till it happens to you and listen to people on her talk shit
I have been a gun owner for years and I carry concealed daily. EVERY holster or firearm I have ever purchaset says in bold print to unload and double check the weapon before test fitting. End of story! There is no such thing as an “accidental discharge” but negligent discharges are all too common. If that bullet had left the vehicle and hit a kid you all would want his head on a pike! He alone created the situation and he needs to pay the price for his irresponsible actions. My $0.02
What about the lady that plowed through three cars “looking for her cell phone”? Same police department, right?
Throw the book at this idiot.
Cocked and locked. Fucking idiot.
I BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH. WHY JAIL AND A FINE? IT JSUT SO HAPPENS THE BULLET DIDNT GO OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT DIDNT HARM ANYONE ELSE OHYEAH IT COULD HAVE BUT IT DIDNT… A FINE IAM THINK IS JSUT A WAY TO GET LC MORE MONEY TO DO NOTHING VALUEABLE WITH….
I think the charges are a bit extreme as well, and Lewis Counties pathetic attempt at pretending to be relevant, however……accident of otherwise, the man is still responsible for this incident. Most vehicle collisions are “accidents” as well, but we are still held accountable for them. Having a concealed weapons permit, does not, or should not, on any level, release you from liability. Is this that complex?