A 27-year-old man from Florida has been arrested following an accidental shooting that left his wife severely injured. According to authorities, Sean William Wollard was charged with a weapons offense after he admitted to handling a firearm while under the influence of cocaine, which he had used just before the incident.
On the morning of November 25, 2024, at around 1:37 a.m., Broward County deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a home in Fort Lauderdale. Upon arrival, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Wollard was present at the scene, holding a blanket to his wife’s neck in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Emergency responders quickly began attending to the woman, who was later identified as Wollard’s wife. She was then transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where doctors indicated she could face paralysis from the neck down as a result of the injury.
Wollard, who was initially hesitant when instructed by deputies to step away from the victim, later made a series of statements to authorities. He reportedly told police that he and his wife had been looking for their cat earlier in the day and had eventually settled in to watch a movie. He added that they had used cocaine before the shooting occurred. According to Wollard, the firearm discharged accidentally as he was attempting to put it away.
Investigators observed several open bottles of alcohol in the home, along with a “white powdery substance” on a coffee table that was consistent with cocaine. Additionally, three firearms were found in the same room where the shooting occurred. Two of the guns were securely holstered, but the firearm used in the shooting was not, raising concerns about the safety of the weapon’s storage. Deputies also found that Wollard had handled the firearm while under the influence of cocaine, which was in direct violation of gun safety protocols.
Wollard made several other statements to law enforcement during their investigation. He mentioned that his memory of the events was “foggy,” and he could not recall many of the details surrounding the shooting. Despite being read his Miranda rights, Wollard chose not to continue discussing the incident but had already made several admissions about his actions leading up to the accidental shooting.
The victim, who initially spoke to deputies while receiving medical attention, confirmed that the shooting had been accidental. She emphasized that her husband did not intend to hurt her. The couple, who has been married since 2018, has yet to comment publicly on the situation.
Wollard was charged with a single weapons offense: using a firearm while under the influence of drugs. He appeared in court for his initial hearing, where a judge set his bond at $15,000. Wollard was released from custody after posting bond but was subjected to several conditions. These included wearing a GPS monitor and undergoing a substance abuse evaluation within 10 days. In addition, he is required to submit to random drug and alcohol testing and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition while the case is ongoing.
The case highlights the dangers of handling firearms while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, underscoring the importance of responsible gun ownership and storage. Investigators are continuing their work to determine whether any further charges will be brought against Wollard, including those related to the alleged substance use and his actions leading to the shooting.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and will likely explore whether there are any other contributing factors that may have led to the unfortunate accident. As Wollard faces legal consequences for his actions, the focus remains on his wife’s recovery and the impact of the shooting on their lives moving forward.
