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    Woman accidentally shot father, police say

    By Times staff writer
    © St. Petersburg Times
    published October 21, 2002

    PALM HARBOR -- A Palm Harbor man suffered minor injuries Sunday when his daughter shot him in the family's living room, Pinellas County sheriff's deputies said.

    Michelle Koller, 31, of 1063 Ridge Drive, was showing her father a .38-caliber revolver when it accidentally discharged, deputies said. The bullet hit Joseph Koller, 57, in the chest and exited his body without puncturing any vital organs.

    Joseph Koller was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where he was treated and released.

    Moments after the shooting, Doug Giacometti saw Michelle Koller walking along Ridge Drive with the gun in her hand.

    Pauline Giacometti convinced Koller to put down the gun and come inside her home, where they called 911.

    Giacometti said Koller told her that she shot her father during a domestic altercation involving her mother.

    Sgt. Dave McKenzie said the daughter will not face charges.

    He said that after interviewing all parties, deputies did not believe the shooting was intentional.

    "We are treating this as an accident," McKenzie said. "She left here hysterical with the gun in hand. She felt responsible and went to her neighbor's house in panic."

    McKenzie said the family had permits for several guns. Deputies seized the weapons in the home "for safekeeping," he said.

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