Tiverton man arrested after accidently shooting and seriously injuring wife

A Tiverton man was arrested over the weekend after accidently shooting his wife.

According to Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones, at approximately 7:16 p.m. Saturday, police were called to Allen Street for a report of a female being accidently shot in the neck with a single gunshot wound by her husband. James Bradley, 35, was at first alleged to have been cleaning his Smith and Wesson gun when it accidentally fired, hitting his wife. It was later determined that he was unloading the gun and it discharged.

Bradley’s wife Lora, 36, who placed the 911 call to police, was conscious and alert at the time of the shooting and was transported to Rhode Island hospital with life threatening injuries. She stated while at the hospital that the shooting was an accident. Lora was fortunate to survive as the bullet entered under her chin and exited her ear. She was last known to still be under care at a local hospital.

A bystander who was at the home helped the victim try to stop the bleeding after the shooting.

Tiverton Police confiscated the gun and searched the home. Bradley gave himself up and was co-operative with police. According to Jones, Bradley was intoxicated at the time of the shooting.

Bradley was charged with possession of a firearm while intoxicated (a felony) and was released on bail.

Rhode Island State Police in conjunction with Tiverton Police investigated and it was determined to not be a domestic incident.