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In 1982, a 27-year-old man lost a gunfight with a cactus
Boing Boing • • science
Key Points:
- On February 4, 1982, David Grundman from Arizona was killed when a 27-foot saguaro cactus he shot with a shotgun collapsed on him, dropping approximately 23 feet onto his body.
- Grundman fired at least two rifled slugs from a 16-gauge shotgun into the cactus near Lake Pleasant before the central column, weighed down by water, toppled and crushed him.
- Contrary to some versions claiming an arm of the cactus caused the fatal injury, contemporary reports indicate the main central column fell on Grundman, causing his death.
- There is no evidence that the incident was filmed, and videos claiming to show it are likely fabricated.
- The story serves as a reminder that possessing a firearm, as protected by the Second Amendment, does not guarantee a successful or safe outcome.
