Mark Kessler hearing postponed because of dropped gun

Gilberton, Pa. Police Chief Mark Kessler has been sued over an incident allegedly involving his son.

( Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com, file)

POTTSVILLE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania police chief who made headlines with profane Internet tirades faces a lawsuit alleging his son shot a girl with a BB gun.

Gilberton chief Mark Kessler and his son are being sued in Schuylkill County Court, according to the Pottsville Republican-Herald.

The lawsuit filed Monday by Jennifer Warnstorff alleges her daughter's leg is scarred from the shooting. It seeks unspecified damages. Warnstorff alleges Kessler's son negligently fired the gun at the Frackville Recreation Complex last March. The Associated Press is not naming the son because his age is unclear.

The lawsuit alleges Kessler encouraged the reckless use of firearms.

Kessler was recently suspended after posting videos in which he fired automatic weapons and railed against liberals. He did not immediately return a call for comment Saturday.