Man shoots himself at a Local Gun Range

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A person shoots themselves at home, suicide?

A person shoots himself at range, called accidental shooting?

So how does an investigator determines if it's suicide or accidental shooting?

60 year old male, gun newbie?, points gun at chest, pull trigger....something doesn't add up. Possible life insurance claim?

Sorry for the family but there's got to be more as to why.
 
Twins,

I agree totally. I'm not a Glock guy, and have never owned one (shot one a few times) but from what I know, they are really safe guns, so the trigger had to be pulled. I don't think they will go off from being dropped, rough handled etc. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Hang fire maybe? The sad thing is that is probably the only report we will see from the media. That is the gun shop I frequent weekly, so I'll ask next time I go in there. But I'm sure they will be tired of telling the story.
 
A person shoots themselves at home, suicide?

A person shoots himself at range, called accidental shooting?
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I don't know where you are getting this, but no such distinction was stated in the article. There are actually several suicides a year at gun ranges in the US.

So how does an investigator determines if it's suicide or accidental shooting?
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How is this ever determined, you could be asking. The look at the circumstances surrounding the actual shooting and the person's life. Suicide folks often leave some sort of letter, are witnessed to have been upset or depressed, maybe have spoke of suicide in the past. In this case, there was at least one witness who noted that he turned the gun like he was inspecting it, and maybe he was. There were numerous people shooting at the range when the incident occurred.
http://www.postandcourier.com/apps/.../PC16/120329911/1006&slId=1&template=printart
http://www.live5news.com/story/17258875/shooting-north-charleston-investigation

60 year old male, gun newbie?, points gun at chest, pull trigger....something doesn't add up.
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Idiocy happens at all ages.

The sad thing is that is probably the only report we will see from the media.
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Given that there are already multiple reports in the media, your statement is in error. Given the numbers of articles each year on such events, I would be more inclined to believe that there will be more articles, at least after an official determination is made.
 
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So how does an investigator determines if it's suicide or accidental shooting?
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Well in a suicide the person intentionally kills themself. An accident they do not. There are plenty of questions that can lead to a determination of suicide.

Was the person otherwise in trouble with the law or in debt?
Was the person recently depressed?
Has the person talked about suicide recently?
Has the person given away personal items recently?
Did the person leave a note?
Did the person break up with a significant other?
Did the person suffer from a mental disorder?
Did the person abuse drugs or alcohol?
Was there a witness?
Where did they shoot themselves?
Average male that commits suicide with a firearms does so to the noggin but definately not always.
Ect.
 
Wow, so stunning
confused.gif
 
My .02

I have to agree with the hang fire theory. I'm not an inspector/detective of any kind but that could have been the reasoning for him looking down the barrel.
60 year old male, gun newbie?, points gun at chest, pull trigger....something doesn't add up. Possible life insurance claim?
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People take up shooting at all ages. Look at the gun market recently. Gun shows are more packed than ever and sales are through the roof. You can't be so naive as to believe its all young people or experienced users causing these trends. Accidents can happen to anyone truthfully. I am not dismissing your theory entirely it made me think honestly but I figure unless I know the true story (not the media's) I won't judge this man. My condolences are with their family. A loss is a loss and never easy to deal with.
 
"Newbie" hardly explains pointing a gun at yourself! Someone who's never handled a gun in their life would know that the bullets come out the muzzle.
 
Trigger fingers, Taurus...

Most ADs or more directly; NDs(negligent discharges), involve people who put their fingers on the trigger. :(
More new shooters or service personnel need to learn to keep the index or trigger finger OFF the trigger until they are ready to fire.
Taurus created a good way to avoid problems with the clever "memory" pad on the frame so you can feel exactly where your index finger should be.
More US firearm companies should include this smart feature.
This incident also shows why I do not suggest striker fired system for new handgun owners.
Clyde
 
This matters...
Most Glock handguns, referred to as “safe-action pistols,” are not equipped with a manual safety. Rather, an internal mechanism that prevents a Glock from firing is disengaged when the trigger is pulled.
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...when you're pointing a firearm at your body. :confused:

Reporters are flippin' idiots.:rolleyes:



This incident also shows why I do not suggest striker fired system for new handgun owners.
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I disagree.
I believe this incident should not be blamed on the design of the pistol, but the ignorance of the operator.

I don't care who you are... You don't point a loaded firearm at yourself, if you plan to live. In the words of Crocodile Dundee, "That's the dangerous end."
It doesn't matter if it's striker-fired. Keep your stupid finger off the bang switch.
 
Too bad. I keep on reading about these self inflicted deaths at shooting ranges, unless there is proof to the contrary, I think these are suicides.

About 100 people per day suicide in the US.
 
I'm with FM. It doesn't matter if it's a hammer or a striker, has a safety or not, if you point it at yourself and pull the trigger bad things can be expected. Heck, if you are determined to kill yourself you don't really need a gun. If this is not a suicide, it is incredible stupidity.
 
at range. (not that it really matters)
gun loaded

point at self.....

not good.

Absent any clear indications of suicidal intent (note, etc) we always assume accident.

What is the first thing they ALWAYS do in the cartoons when a gun doesn't shoot? LOOK DOWN THE BARREL!!!

It is a form of subliminal training, you know!:D

Tragic, and more so if unintentional, and a single thoughtless second might have brought it about. Will include the family in our prayers.
 
World's "Strongest" Cop, the "most professional" person...

I disagree to an extent with a few of the last posts.
Yes, leaving your trigger or index finger off the trigger is the best way to avoid errors or tragic mishaps but having a safe, well engineered design like the SIG Sauer DAK or the HK LEM(law enforcement modification) helps too.
LEM type pistols are in use with the FFDO(federal flight deck officer program) & the US Dept of Homeland Security(ICE, CBP, US Border Patrol).
When my area's large sheriff's office converted to the Glock 21 .45acp in 2002, a sworn LE deputy had a AD with a Glock 21 within 2 weeks.
I also read in the late 1990s of a Pittsburgh PD officer known as the "world's strongest cop" who also shot himself with a Glock duty weapon. The sworn LE officer was on a qualification range & went to re-holster his Glock pistol when it discharged into the cop's upper leg.
Finally, I'm sure many TFLers recall the hapless "undercover" DEA who fired off a .40S&W round into his side as he lectured young kids in Orlando Florida.
This video is a www.youtube.com staple. ;)
I agree that proper training & safety are most important with any system but I stand by my remarks. A DA only 6 shot revolver or a hammer fired DAO pistol works best for an entry level gunner or armed professional.
ClydeFrog
 
ClydeFrog,

With all due respect, this is blaming the tool. It's really simple. Don't point the weapon at yourself and squeeze the trigger. Glocks and other similarly designed pistols have proven themselves in service for decades. I'm no Glock boy, although I own one (I'm a 1911 fan myself), but it's simple. Don't point the weapon at your chest and squeeze the trigger.

I know passingly a large city police department armorer who actually shot himself (lost part of a finger) when he was new to the Glock. Great guy, and makes hilarious jokes about what must have been painful, both physically and professionally. But he makes no excuses. He messed up.

It's not the tool, it's unfamiliarity with the tool.
 
I agree- it's not the tool.

I honestly hope I never feel too busy or whatever to pass along safety tips and a little knowledge to a new or inexperienced shooter.
 
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