Campground shooting decision draws criticism from residents

The news that came down June 10 relieving Cadiz Police Chief Ryan McCann of disciplinary action for hitting a camper with a bullet discharged from his firearm by Mayor R.K. Jones did not satisfy many residents within the camping community. Jones acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, said a mistake was made and said the village will look at alternatives in the future, but there will be no more shooting in the park.

“After reviewing the reports, statements, photographs and all available information, I determined that Chief Ryan McCann was acting within the scope of his duties while responding to nuisance wildlife complaints. The evidence does not support a finding of intentional misconduct, reckless disregard for public safety or actions outside his authority. However, that does not mean this incident should simply be dismissed,” Jones said.

McCann, under permission from the village’s previous administration, had been shooting groundhogs at the campgrounds for three years. He also had received many requests from campers to do so, but one got away, ricocheted off a neighboring deck and penetrated Jaynelle Mansfield’s camper. Among other things, it struck the backrest of a leather chair dead center. No one was inside at the time, but the regular Cadiz meeting June 11 drew a near-capacity crowd of residents, including Mansfield, who read a prepared statement. A relative, Ty Tanner, also voiced concerns through a prepared statement.

Mansfield stood and expressed disappointment in the mayor’s findings after he reviewed another police officer’s investigation, photographs and statements.

“I want council to understand how unfair and upsetting this decision is to me,” Mansfield said, referring to fears of insurance problems and costs.

“I do not believe I should have to bear any consequences for the situation that I did not create,” she continued while asking the mayor and council to reconsider their decision.

Jones said he did not want her insurance to pay for the damages and apologized for confusion over the issue. He said council was in agreement that the village would take care of everything “no matter what.” He asked for estimates for all costs and said, “if it’s not a whole lot we’ll just cut you a check and be done with it,” if that is what she wanted.

“You know, accountability isn’t always punishment,” Jones said. “You know, accountability is re-evaluating our procedures in the community. Probably wasn’t a good idea without a doubt.”

When Jones said there were no children or anyone else around at approximately 9 a.m. when the bullet hit the camper, grumbling was heard among the crowd. He said Park Superintendent Ryan Coffman asked McCann to come to the park to “take care of a couple nuisance animals.”

“But, you know, Ryan didn’t do anything illegal,” Jones said. “If you want to hang him, fine, hang him, but I didn’t see as the mayor he did anything different than he’s been doing for three years and that was before me.”

Mansfield said she did not want McCann’s job but asked that he be held accountable. She said a half-inch to the right and the bullet would have struck her propane tank. It was understood McCann was not immediately aware he had struck the camper, but she said if he had apologized when she felt he had the chance, “We would not be in this mess right now.”

Mansfield said the matter should have been sent up the chain and not contained within village offices. When Jones said they did send it to the state wildlife department, a guest corrected him by saying he was not the person who made the notification.

“Well, what do you want, an investigation? You got it,” Jones told them, referring to the wildlife department, where the matter is now in its hands. Jones said the game warden was supposed to be on-site early June 12, but by nearly 10:30 a.m. had not arrived.

When later asked why McCann was given permission to shoot in the park, Jones said he had done it before, but that only caused the audience to erupt with, “that doesn’t make it right.”

Neither Coffman nor McCann were present because they were on vacation. No one seemed to know exactly how the previous council gave McCann permission to shoot in the park. Jones earlier referred to an ordinance passed by the previous council, but Clerk-Treasurer Rachel Redish was unsure whether it was an ordinance or possibly a voice vote. Attempts to reach former Village Solicitor Costa D. Mastros and McCann were unsuccessful.

Current Village Solicitor Chuck Kidder confirmed the mayor oversees the police department, not council.