Park ranger accidentally shoots bullet into neighbor's apartment

LOVELAND - Last week, an armed park ranger for Larimer County got home from a late shift and decided to practice unholstering her pistol - her loaded pistol.

It was around 3 a.m. on May 31 at Waterford Place apartments in Loveland.

While practicing, Cynthia Claggett, 29, accidentally fired one shot into her neighbor's apartment.

"That's the last thing I expected to happen," said Michelle Young, Claggett's neighbor.

The bullet came through Claggett's bathroom and dug itself into her bed.

It missed Young's son's crib by around two feet.

Fortunately, Young, her husband and three young children weren't home at the time. They were visiting their grandma and grandpa in Berthoud.

"The stars were just lined up right," said Robert Young.

The police report called the incident an accident and said Claggett was apologetic and remorseful. Police said no alcohol was involved.

She has since apologized to the Youngs.

Her supervisor with Larimer County's Natural Resources department said Claggett is an exceptional park ranger.

"We have no reason to believe it was anything but an accident," said Dan Rieves, Natural Resources visitor services manager. "We're extremely grateful that neither Cynthia nor anyone else was hurt."

Claggett has been charged with Prohibited Use of Weapon - a misdemeanor.

Rieves says there are no plans to punish Claggett, but he has asked the Larimer County Sheriff's Office to review the department's safety training program.