DUANE SHERRILLEditor

A Springfield man was critically wounded July 4 when he was struck in the head by what is believed to be a stray bullet as he walked along Twin Creeks Marina Drive in Franklin County.

The man, John Cobb, 61, of Springfield was in critical condition at press-time after suffering the severe head injury. Witnesses at first thought the man had been experiencing a medical emergency that caused him to fall to the ground and hit his head as he walked along Twin Creeks Marina Drive near River Watch Way. However, once he was rushed to the hospital, it was discovered he had been struck by what is believed to be a bullet, possibly fired from a rifle.

The prevailing theory is that he was struck by a stray bullet that had been fired in the air from a separate location. It is not believed that the victim was not targeted but instead that someone, likely celebrating Independence Day, fired a shot into the air not realizing the potential deadly consequences. While not having the force of a bullet fired directly at a target, the falling trajectory of a bullet can still hold enough force to wound or kill a person, especially if the victim is hit in the head.

The Winchester Police Department is seeking anyone who may have fired a rifle into the air between 9:10 and 9:25 p.m. on July 4 in that area. Anyone with such information should contact Detective Ryan Fuller with the Winchester Police Department at 931-967-3840 or you may report anonymously to Crimestoppers at 931-962-INFO (4636).