SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - A staged shootout during a mock train robbery Sunday in Random Lake, Wis., turned out to be far too realistic when two people were shot with a gun mistakenly loaded with birdshot, according to the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department. The incident, according to the Sheboygan Press, occurred about 11 a.m. as re-enactors performed a simulated train robbery as part of a weekend-long Santa Steam Train event.
The re-enactment unfolded with the actors engaging in a simulated shootout with police after pretending to steal dynamite from a local hardware store for use in robbing the train, which was carrying Santa Claus. However, things turned serious when one of the guns sprayed 46 shotgun pellets in the arm, leg, and abdomen of re-enactor Thomas E. Rumpff, 49, of Sheboygan.
The blast also left a 14-year-old spectator from Random Lake with a pellet embedded in his index finger and another that bounced off his knee. Both were taken to St. Nicholas Hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening. Capt. Dave Adams of the sheriff’s department said the other guns were properly loaded with blanks. Investigators determined that the live round was loaded by mistake.
The staged robbery continued as planned after the accident, with the actors pretending to rob the train. Afterwards, children lined up to meet Santa, who was unharmed in the incident.
The three-day event began Friday with the arrival of restored Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 in Plymouth, Wis., on Wisconsin & Southern’s Plymouth Subdivision. The train left the city Sunday morning. Its only other planned stop was in Random Lake, where the mock holdup was held.
WOW, not quite the way most people expect to spend the afternoon watching a Santa Train. I can say that that accidental shooting happened when the gang was “robbing” the hardware store to get the dynamite to hold-u
Well someone in the group of railfans that was standing south of Random Lake where the robbery took place said the grade was the steepest in Southern Wisconsin. It does look quite steep, but I don’t know about the steepest.
You mean like ending up in a ditch only twice in his life, both times chasing the 1003, in consecutive years, on roads he was very familiar with, very close to his home?
What ever possessed people to use real shotguns in this act? The first rule of gun safety: The gun is loaded. Always treat a gun as if it is loaded and able to kill.
[:-^] I believe we have a winner. Glad that you and the vehicle are OK and the nice gentleman in the Ram 2500 had the long chain. Hopefully next December the third time won’t be the charm.
I have been on several special trains where part of the “fun” was a staged robbery. Not my thing really, but I know the kids sometimes get a kick out of it. Thankfully we never had an incident like that. Why would a Santa train be part of a mock robbery?
Exactly. Brandon lee the son of legendary actor Bruce Lee was killed that way. They could have just as easily used airsoft guns and got the same effect without the risk of maiming spectators and performers.
I agree, it was stupid to use real weapons, even with blanks. Remembering farther back, Jon-Eirk Hexum was fooling around with a blank-loaded .44 caliber hand gun on the set of “Cover Up” and killed himself with it. The concussion from the gunpowder exploding and pushing out the wadding, even without a projectile, is what killed him. The sound of a gunshot inside a closed coach must have been deafening. Those lawyers may also be lining up for the injured ear drum cases.
Forget the “cab ride warnings” as in the other thread.
Does anyone know who shot the video of the steam train on that Friday night? A production was suppose to be put together. I paid and preordered at the event in Plymouth on that Saturday, but have not seen anything… I unfortunuately didn’t catch the name of the group.
I found the following, which makes it sound like your video is still being produced but should be ready soon.
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Santa Steam Train Video Premieres- March 8
Join us at the Plymouth Art Center on March 8 at 6:30pm to view the premiere of the video “Santa Steam Train 2008.” Produced in cooperation with Veritas Video Productions, the video will be on sale, along with copies of the 2007 edition. The Santa Steam Train winning photos will be on display at this event along with many of the photos submitted for consideration. A slide show will also be presented with many of the photo entries. Veritas Video Productions will have representatives at the event. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Jerry Thompson at (920) 892-6921.