Disabling a Gun with a Bullet

We've all seen the scenes in the movies — someone shoots a gun out of a bad guy's hands, or a sniper puts a round through the scope of another sniper's optic. Such events are, most of us know, extremely improbable — but not impossible. Last January an off-duty Jefferson County (CO) Sheriff's Deputy proved it's possible, though not on purpose. Deputy Jose Marquez exchanged gunfire with two armed subjects in the city of Aurora, shooting one of the suspects, Jhalil Meshesha, and suffering two gunshot wounds himself during the exchange.

Thankfully Marquez survived, recovered, and was cleared yesterday of any wrongdoing, but what is particularly interesting about this gunfight is the “one in a billion” hit made by one of Marquez's bullets. At some point during the fight, a .45 caliber bullet from the deputy's pistol traveled down the barrel of the suspect's .40 caliber pistol, striking a chambered round, disabling the weapon.

Truth is often stranger than fiction.

Disabling a gun with a bullet

Cover photo courtesy of the 18th Judicial District District Attorney's Office.

“Deputy Marquez reasonably believed that his life was in danger and acted reasonably in shooting Meshesha, and that he used an appropriate level of physical force. I further find that Deputy Marquez’s actions were justified and he did not violate Colorado law.” Arapahoe County Deputy District Attorney Rich Ormon. 

Remember this? We'll discuss whether this was an appropriate or responsible shot at another time.