Accidental Sniper Death: Army Inquiry

0:00On March 3rd, a British Army Lance Corporal died instantly during sniper training in the Scottish Highlands back on November 1st, 2016. 24-year-old Joe Spencer from Bishop Stoken Hampshire was hit by a single round from his L-1-15A3 sniper rifle. The weapon fired unexpectedly while he waited in a shipping container area at the range near Tain. Witnesses described how a fellow private accidentally bumped into Spencer, causing the rifle, which he held vertically with the butt on his boot to. Discharged through his chin, the range supervisor noted that misfires were fairly common that day, having six or seven times during the annual combat marksmanship test. The private involved appeared deeply shot right after and took responsibility to officers on site. The supervisor quickly cleared the area and separated the soldiers to manage the confusion as rifles were still inside the container. Spencer had joined the Army in February 2011, excelling in basic training and earning top honors.

1:00He served with the third battalion, the rifles, saw action in Afghanistan where he was once wounded by a grenade and had just bought a home with his partner months before the incident. A previous Sheriff Corps inquiry confirmed the accidental discharge and this two-week inquest at Winchester Corners Court continues with family. Members attending, seeking answers on any potential safety lapses.