A lieutenant at Barrow County Emergency Services and his pregnant daughter remained hospitalized Monday following a Christmas Day shooting in which each lost a portion of a limb from being struck by the same bullet.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said a family argument between Lt. Todd Orr and two of his daughters culminated in violence shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday after Orr picked up a loaded, .270-calibre hunting rifle that was in his bedroom.
He told deputies that he had intended to leave the house and to take his gun with him. However, his daughters believed he was going to commit suicide, Smith said.
Fire lieutenant, pregnant daughter shot in domestic dispute
As the daughters and a male relative struggled with Orr over the rifle, it discharged.
The fast-moving cartridge partially severed a forearm of the pregnant daughter, Tiffany Thomas, whose first baby is due in weeks. The bullet then tore through Orr’s hand and ripped off at least two fingers before entering his abdomen, traveling up through his chest cavity, and out his back.
“One shot was fired,” Smith said. “This was a very fast-traveling bullet. So that did some damage.”
Orr and Thomas both are being treated at Athens Regional Medical Center. Surgeons amputated the daughter’s forearm.
“They’re recovering from very serious wounds,” Smith said, noting that the unborn baby appears to be OK.
The sheriff said the matter is still under investigation, and sorting out precisely what happened has been complicated.
Investigators are still trying to verify what sparked the argument.
Smith said the family had celebrated the holiday at a relative’s house and had arrived at Orr’s home shortly before the incident unfolded.
“A drinking glass was thrown at Todd,” Smith said. “He threw a beer can at Tiffany and allegedly goes into the bedroom, and gets a gun…
“None of the people we interviewed can say who pulled the trigger. We’ve got three people pulling and jerking this thing and trying to get the gun away from Todd, and it goes off.”
The sheriff said that despite the severity of his wounds, Orr was "walking around coherent" when deputies arrived.
"It’s lucky no one died," Smith said. "Anytime this happens, on any day, it's tragic. It’s even more tragic on Christmas Day. It’s just terrible.”
The sheriff said some emergency services personnel responding to the scene did not initially realize it was Orr's family home.
"From what I understand, there was a big outcry," Smith said. "The Orr family is very well known in Barrow County."
Though the gun may have been fired accidentally, criminal charges are a possibility, Smith said.
But before charging anyone, the sheriff said he would discuss the findings of the investigation with District Attorney Brad Smith.
“Once we get through investigating, we are going to consult with the DA to see if charges are going to apply for this case,” the sheriff said. “It’s very complicated, because we’ve got all these different stories from witnesses…”
Since news of the incident broke Sunday morning, local bloggers have strongly questioned why Orr was not immediately charged with a crime.
“It’s not up to us to prosecute it,” the sheriff said. “It’s up to the D.A.’s office and the court system. We merely investigate the case, and because both Todd and his daughter are in the hospital, we didn’t feel it was necessary at the time of the incident to lock him up and take him into custody.”
He did note that Orr is “quarantined” at the hospital and under around-the-clock observation.
“I will tell you this: In this sheriff’s office, it is my policy to investigate every crime to the best of our ability and to attempt to present a reasonable, lawful case to the D.A.’s office for prosecution in the court system,” Smith said. “We don’t play favorites here. We investigate the case, attempt to find probable cause and move forward.”
Orr has been employed by Barrow County's government for five years and was among 17 applicants for the vacant fire chief position that is to be filled in early 2011.
Barrow County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood said Monday that the county would launch an internal investigation of the incident.
"I am sure we are going to launch our own investigation," Yearwood said. "We've got to make sure we are going by county personnel policy. I will make sure of that when I get back."
Regarding the Orr family, he said: "I'll just pray they're OK. That's my only comment right now."
Interim emergency services chief John Skinner said Monday: "This is still an active investigation by the Sheriff's department, therefore I will not comment on this unfortunate incident other than to
ask that everyone continues to support and pray for the Orr family during this difficult time."
The fast-moving cartridge partially severed a forearm of the pregnant daughter, Tiffany Thomas, whose first baby is due in weeks. The bullet then tore through Orr’s hand and ripped off at least two fingers before entering his abdomen, traveling up through his chest cavity, and out his back.
“One shot was fired,” Smith said. “This was a very fast-traveling bullet. So that did some damage.”
Orr and Thomas both are being treated at Athens Regional Medical Center. Surgeons amputated the daughter’s forearm.
“They’re recovering from very serious wounds,” Smith said, noting that the unborn baby appears to be OK.
The sheriff said the matter is still under investigation, and sorting out precisely what happened has been complicated.
Investigators are still trying to verify what sparked the argument.
Smith said the family had celebrated the holiday at a relative’s house and had arrived at Orr’s home shortly before the incident unfolded.
“A drinking glass was thrown at Todd,” Smith said. “He threw a beer can at Tiffany and allegedly goes into the bedroom, and gets a gun…
“None of the people we interviewed can say who pulled the trigger. We’ve got three people pulling and jerking this thing and trying to get the gun away from Todd, and it goes off.”
The sheriff said that despite the severity of his wounds, Orr was "walking around coherent" when deputies arrived.
"It’s lucky no one died," Smith said. "Anytime this happens, on any day, it's tragic. It’s even more tragic on Christmas Day. It’s just terrible.”
The sheriff said some emergency services personnel responding to the scene did not initially realize it was Orr's family home.
"From what I understand, there was a big outcry," Smith said. "The Orr family is very well known in Barrow County."
Though the gun may have been fired accidentally, criminal charges are a possibility, Smith said.
But before charging anyone, the sheriff said he would discuss the findings of the investigation with District Attorney Brad Smith.
“Once we get through investigating, we are going to consult with the DA to see if charges are going to apply for this case,” the sheriff said. “It’s very complicated, because we’ve got all these different stories from witnesses…”
Since news of the incident broke Sunday morning, local bloggers have strongly questioned why Orr was not immediately charged with a crime.
“It’s not up to us to prosecute it,” the sheriff said. “It’s up to the D.A.’s office and the court system. We merely investigate the case, and because both Todd and his daughter are in the hospital, we didn’t feel it was necessary at the time of the incident to lock him up and take him into custody.”
He did note that Orr is “quarantined” at the hospital and under around-the-clock observation.
“I will tell you this: In this sheriff’s office, it is my policy to investigate every crime to the best of our ability and to attempt to present a reasonable, lawful case to the D.A.’s office for prosecution in the court system,” Smith said. “We don’t play favorites here. We investigate the case, attempt to find probable cause and move forward.”
Orr has been employed by Barrow County's government for five years and was among 17 applicants for the vacant fire chief position that is to be filled in early 2011.
Barrow County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood said Monday that the county would launch an internal investigation of the incident.
"I am sure we are going to launch our own investigation," Yearwood said. "We've got to make sure we are going by county personnel policy. I will make sure of that when I get back."
Regarding the Orr family, he said: "I'll just pray they're OK. That's my only comment right now."
Interim emergency services chief John Skinner said Monday: "This is still an active investigation by the Sheriff's department, therefore I will not comment on this unfortunate incident other than to
ask that everyone continues to support and pray for the Orr family during this difficult time."
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Prosecute the LT. you just fired a deputy over a "dispute"
As for the Orr family, I don't know what happened but if Todd was so distressed that he picked up a weapon against himself then he needs support and help. Last time I checked, suicide isn't a crime. If his daughter tried to stop him & was injured in the process, I'm pretty sure that isn't a crime. Thankfully, her baby is doing well. They will all need a lot of support to move foward from this; not to be crucified by the public.
Alcohol and guns do not mix. For this crime, the courts will say that intent and purpose behind such acts do not matter as long as it is something that a "reasonable person" would not do. Obviously, the Lt. Orr's actions are indeed a "gross deviation" that caused severe harm.
Several victims were placed in harm. It is the duty of the police to give society's response to crimes. The personal grievances of the family do not matter. Our system does not allow for crimes to be handled within families. Also, think of all the families that have to go through such grief after their family member commits a crime. It comes along with the crime and cannot be excused. The grief of the family does not excuse the crime. You see the consequences inflicted on family members every day in the media. While we all feel for the families, the police must do their job.
Furthermore, publicity of potentially committed crimes is a major part of our system. Nearly all arrests (and not just convictions) are purposely reported in the newspapers as a method of deterrence of others committing the same crimes.
I feel horribly for the Orr family. I wish them the best. But we live in a world of justice, equality, and reality. Lt. Orr should be prosecuted.
However, it seems that a crime was committed here if the facts are indeed as they are described. Alcohol is no defense. Crimes must be accounted for and favoritism should not be allowed. The Lieutenant should know better. I agree, prosecute him.
People -- guns and booze do not mix.
While I feel for this family, and pray for them, I think Lt. Orr should face charges.
Heckfire, give 'im a meddal and make him the Big Chief!
Why do some of you people want to get so riled up. You see the words "well known" then want to criminalize him.
Idiots.
they should have let him do it, them maybe his daughter would still have two good arms to hold her sweet new baby.
I hope he dont get off.
I am confident that the sheriff and DA will, under scrutiny, take the right path here to see that justice is done.
In any event the man should no longer be in the county's employ. Sorry. Actions have consequences.
I sympathize with the innocent family members and friends.
NOONE but the few that were there know exactly what happened. Maybe the community should come together as a support for the family.Maybe just Maybe the orr family needs everyone to STOP RUNNING there mouth and only speak words that they know are true.Please keep the Orr Family in you thoughts and Prayers!!!
charged with wreckless behavior and aggravated assault. Now his
daughter will pay for the rest of her life for his stupid self
centeredness. He is a disgrace to the Barrow Co EMS.
#18
i have know this family for 25 years or more and I LOVE EACH OF THEM VERY MUCH! I know that when Todd realizes what has happened he is going to feel really bad and I pray that his family will be there to help him through this situation!
I am very thankful that Tiff and the baby are going good. I pray that God give Tiff the relieve in pain that she is needing since she can't take alot of pain meds for the baby sake!
May God be with this family and give them the peace and forgiveness they need to get through this!!!
#1.3.2 Terry Malloy: Intoxication is NOT a crime. Alcohol has been legal in this country since the ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933.
#6 So Burr: I grant you that the wording in the article is poor on this point since it states that “The bullet severed her arm, which was removed during surgery…” Severed was not the correct word for the paper to use. If his daughter’s arm was removed in surgery, he did not “Blast” his “dotter’s arm clean off”.
#7 Law must prevail: If this incident were being “covered up” the Sheriff probably would not have spoken to the newspaper about it. Generally when someone is trying to perform a “cover up” they do not make statements to the media.
#8 John Jay: Darwinism is about the survival of the fittest. Everyone survived according to this article. Therefore, “Darwinism at its finest” in no way applies.
#10 dispute: IF he is prosecuted he should then have a trial. IF he is found guilty of a crime then perhaps he should be fired if the County Personnel Policy was violated. Your way is just not American.
#11.1 AL: This case is NOT before the SUPREME COURT. It hasn’t even gone to the county court system yet. No where in the article did it state that the case was before the Supreme Court.
#11.1 AL: A “new soul” has not been born. No where in the article did it state that a baby was born.
#12.1 ????: The article states that he picked up a rifle apparently planning to shoot himself and when several family members attempted to get the gun away it fired hitting himself and his daughter. If you are wielding a firearm that discharges and the bullet strikes someone… then you shot them, intentional or not.
#15 NA: Todd Orr is not one of “BARROW COUNTY’S FINEST”. Policemen are known as “Finest” Firemen are known as “Bravest”.
#29 One mad person: Yes, his child was shot, however, she is not a minor (that means she is older than 18). “Cruelty to children” does not apply.
A man KILLED his mother with a crossbow while she slept and the story only got 9 comments in over 2 years. This story is only 2 days old and already has 33 comments. Because he is well known he is getting more scrutiny and horrific things said about him in a public forum. Somehow this is fair for the Orr family? Some of you are way too ready to grab your pitchforks and torches! Many people are not charged with a crime after an accidental shooting.