Mexican army doing guns-for-food drive saws up shotgun without realizing it’s loaded
- Posted on August 14, 2026
- By The Independent
- 5 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
A weapons collection initiative by Mexican military forces took a dangerous turn when personnel inadvertently processed a loaded shotgun. During the disassembly procedure using mechanical cutting equipment, an unexpected discharge occurred, sending fragments throughout the facility. The incident resulted in multiple casualties requiring emergency medical intervention at a regional healthcare facility. This occurrence highlights critical safety protocols that must be implemented in community weapon disposal programs.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
Mexican army doing guns-for-food drive saws up shotgun without realizing it’s loaded
A “guns-for-food drive” organized by the Mexican Army backfired when a soldier forgot to check if one of the weapons was loaded. Video footage shows the shotgun, which had been brought in by a resident in exchange for money or food, being sawed in half with a metal saw when a live cartridge suddenly detonated. Shrapnel was sent flying around the room, resulting in four attendees getting injured. Three people sustained minor injuries, whilst the fourth person’s injuries were more severe. All four were taken to the Regional Hospital of Pátzcuaro, a city about four hours west of Mexico City.
