Stray bullet lands on couple's empty bed on Roaches Line

It's common for Brad and Sherry Colbourne to spend their Saturday mornings on the deck outside their secluded home on Roaches Line, barbecuing moose sausages for breakfast and hanging freshly washed clothing on the line.

But that wasn't the most peaceful — or safest — place to be this past Saturday after a round from a high-powered rifle pierced the exterior wall of their home and plopped onto their unoccupied bed. 

Luckily, the Colbournes were in their basement, watching a movie and spending some time with their dogs.

Around 9 a.m., they heard a strange noise upstairs, and went to investigate.

They were shocked to find a hole in the wall, a bullet on their bed, and the repeated sound of gunfire in the distance.

It's believed the bullet is a .308 calibre round, one of the world's most popular hunting cartridges.

Alerting the neighbours

They called the RCMP, and Brad jumped on his ATV to alert the neighbours, knowing that about a half-dozen children live in the area and regularly play outside.

An avid hunter who has his own collections of firearms, Brad knew immediately it was a large calibre bullet capable of causing great damage over long distances.

The bullet penetrated the exterior siding, plywood, insulation, and interior drywall before coming to rest on their bed.

"It would have gone right through us," he told CBC News, adding he wondered what could have happened if they were standing in the path of the bullet.

The Colbournes moved to their tranquil, country-style home in Conception Bay in November, and commute daily to their jobs in St. John's. The area is a mixture of farmland and forest, and it's not uncommon to hear gunshots as hunters sight in their rifles.

Shooter said he was sorry

The firing continued even after RCMP officers arrived on the scene, and two men were located nearly three kilometres away.

They were questioned, and police seized firearms. 

A charge of careless use of a firearm is being considered, said an RCMP official.

Brad Colbourne said he visited the site, and described it as a farmer's meadow.

"They had all the documents to be up there," he said of the shooters.

Colbourne said it appears the first one or two shots were high and sailed over the hill the men had been using as a backstop.

Colbourne said he received a call from one of the men.

"He was really sorry it happened. I accept that. Crap happens," he said.

"It was a stupid mistake and I feel bad if he is getting charged."

Even though there was no malicious intent, an RCMP official said that is no excuse for carelessness.

Gun users must have a good understanding of the capabilities of their firearms, and take care not to endanger anyone else, said the spokesman.