Actor Paralyzed in New Jersey Theme Park Show Shooting Sues

NEWARK, N.J. —  An actor shot in the head and partly paralyzed when live ammunition was mistakenly used during a theme park's staged gunfight sued Wild West City, its owner and others on Thursday, charging their negligence and recklessness led to his injuries.

"It's reckless misconduct in operation of the theme park in allowing a 17-year-old who had no firearms training to have access to firearms and live ammunition," said Andrew A. Fraser, lawyer for the wounded actor, Scott Harris.

"Obviously, Scott will need a lifetime of care, rehabilitation and medical treatment," Fraser said.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages that would be used for those purposes, Fraser said.

Harris, 39, of Byram, was shot July 7, 2006. His right arm and leg are paralyzed, he cannot walk and he has difficulty speaking, Fraser said. Harris now lives in a group home in Harding.

During a news conference at his lawyer's office in Sparta, Harris was asked about his recovery. He replied, "Long road," the Daily Record of Parsippany reported on its Web site.