CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — The Charlotte County Sheriff Office responded to Bert’s Black Widow Harley Davidson in Port Charlotte after receiving a call about an accidental discharge of a firearm in the business.
Deputies determined there was a firearm, and it did accidentally discharge.
There were no reported injuries.
Deputies say an off duty Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Deputy was in the business as a patron and was responsible for the accidental discharge.
That Deputy was identified as being Fredrick Matthew Frey.
Frey stated in an interview with detectives that he went to adjust his pants while in the business. When he adjusted them, he accidentally discharged the firearm while the firearm was positioned in the waistband of his trousers. The projectile exited the weapon, struck the floor, and broke into several fragments.
The fragments were recovered.
Deputy Frey waited in the business while on duty Deputies responded, to include the on duty Watch Commander, Lieutenant Jason Zakowich, who assumed control of the scene.
Following policy, Lt. Zakowich summonsed the assistance of detectives from the Major Crimes Unit to conduct this investigation further.
Deputies believe that the weapon was discharged accidentally, and the weapon was never removed from Frey’s waistband or displayed purposely. This was corroborated by evidence at the scene.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is currently reviewing its policy regarding the safe carrying of off duty firearms.
This is an ongoing investigation.
