Fla. Deputy Shoots Self Showing Off Gun

[Rezin]

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1-09302006-720973.html

The Associated Press

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - A sheriff's deputy showing a handgun to friends at his birthday party accidentally shot himself in the face, killing himself, authorities said Saturday.

Matt Barnes, 26, told guests at the Friday night celebration his .45-caliber revolver was not loaded, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. He pulled the trigger around 10:30 p.m., authorities said, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Barnes, who had been a deputy for two years, was off duty at the time of the accident. The sheriff's office said alcohol was believed to have been involved.


Barnes' fiancee witnessed the shooting, authorities said.

"It is a tragic, tragic story," Sheriff David Shoar told The St. Augustine Record for Sunday's edition. "He was there with seven or eight friends. Sometime during the evening, he picked up the handgun and was showing it around when it accidentally discharged, killing him."

The shooting remained under investigation.

 

[Cromlech]

I really feel for those who saw it happen, that must be incredibly traumatic. Just goes to show that firearms are not toys, and they should always be treated as loaded, just in case.

 

[distra]

...showing it around when it accidentally discharged, killing him.

Tragic Not disrespecting the deceased, but why do the media insist on publishing this as the gun discharged? It did not, someone pulled the trigger. Drunk or not, it appears the trigger was pulled by the now deceased officer. Very tramatic, but I aggree with Cromlech, guns are not and never have been toys.

 

[Bruce333]

guns + alcohol = violating the 4 rules. Sad story, I feel for his Fiancee who had to see it happen.

I see even a Sheriff can be guilty of inaccurate statements...

"...showing it around when [strike]it accidentally discharged[/strike] he pulled the trigger..."

The reporter said "he pulled the trigger"

ETA: I see Distra beat me to it. It was a quote atributed to the Sheriff, not the reporter, that said " it accidentaly discharged".

 

[answerguy]

How likely is it that the weapon was a .45 caliber revolver?

 

[Bruce333]

How likely is it that the weapon was a .45 caliber revolver?

You know what moonclips are? Could be in .45 long colt also.

Either of those would make it a "look what I got" firearm.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Other deputies then shot the guilty revolver 68 times before running out of ammo.

 

[SomeKid]

Other deputies then shot the guilty revolver 68 times before running out of ammo.

They would have fired more, but they only had 110 cartridges on them.

 

[Cybert]

Hope this guy didn't breed first. Candidate for Darwin award.

 

[hoji]

I'm the only one I know of professional enough to handle a fotay-five .

 

[Phenom]

Didn't Smith&Wesson make a stainless revolver in 45ACP I know they made a blued one a while ago. This proves my "Who are the wrong ones" when it comes to firearms

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Hope this guy didn't breed first

Holy geez man. S*** happens. I had a good friend of mine accidently killed my freshman year of high school. Matt and his best friend were in his bedroom playing around like h/s boys will. Matt brought out his dads .22 auto to show Bruce. After a while, Matt handed it to Bruce, who removed the loaded magazine. The session ended with Bruce playfully pointing it at Matts chest and intended it to go click. When he pulled the trigger, it went off, killed Matt instantly. I hung around the two for years prior, none of their carelessness rubbed off on me. That is a terrible thing to say. I firmly agree alcohol and guns DONT mix, ever, but to suggest that he shouldn't have had kids.......

 

[Cybert]

No, accidents like this DO NOT happen when you follow the rules. Breaking all three of them means you lose. Do not have any sympathy for this guy.

 

[beerslurpy]

Sorry dude, pointing a gun at someone is wrong, even if you think it is empty. Pulling the trigger is insanely reckless, even if you think it is empty. So many accidental shootings have stemmed from these two causes- why do you think these are the first two rules of gun safety?

 

[Pramunitus]

Agreed. Even if you know absolutely without a doubt the gun is empty, having double and triple-checked it, it is still not a toy. Pulling the trigger while aiming at something you wouldn't knowingly shoot is mindless and unforgiveable.

 

[Ala Dan]

Very Sad

Alcohol and Gunpowder NEVER mix~!

 

[gudel]

Hope this guy didn't breed first. Candidate for Darwin award.

+1. I knew Darwin will catch up soon.

 

[Blackfork]

I'm beginning to think that LEOs and firearms don't mix.

 

[Shweboner]

Maybe it went a little something like this....



Guest: So youre a cop, huh?

Cop: Yeah I sure am.
Cop: Hey check out my new pistol.

Guest: Take it easy man, maybe you shouldnt be waving that all over the place.

Cop: Its fine, I told you, I am a cop. I know what I am doing.
Cop: Its not even loaded, see....

BANG!


Guest: HOLY $#!^



there ya go

 

[ETXhiker]

Can't believe a cop did that. Definate Darwin award. Anyone remember the band "Chicago" from the seventies? The guitar player's name was Terry Kath. Playing with a 9mm with some friends over to visit. One expressed concern about the weapon and he, like the cop in the above post, demonstrated that his pistol wasn't loaded by putting it to his temple and pulling the trigger. It was. Unbelievable.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

Geemeny Crickets

I just hate it when guns "accidentally discharge" by themselves.
No getting around the 4 Basic Rules of Handgun Safety.

 

[El Tejon]

Really? Kath died like that? I thought it was a suicide.

We need to create a file of these law enforcement negligent shootings and everytime we hear the Brady Bunch bleat about the "training" cops have to carry guns, we can start reciting our List of Police Stupidity.

 

[Deaf Smith]

A safe gun is a holstered gun. Can't people just leave their guns holstered? Look, I really like guns, expecially pistols. Shoot tons of ammo. Lots of fast draw. And I like a beer now and then. BUT, I don't mix the two. Period. And when I have my gun on, it stays in the holster were it belongs unless I have no choice but to pull it.

Sorry about the cop, but it was a stupid thing to do. We all do stupid things but as we grow older we learn. He won't have that chance.

 

[Ryder]

There's not much doubt in my mind the trigger was pulled on purpose. Dimwitted comments from the others would be a safe bet. The dead guy being the one who puilled the trigger himself is not.

Releasing control of a gun to another person is a risk which requires forethought and preparation. I know grown people who lack the maturity to ever lay a finger on one of my guns. I've also let 7 year olds shoot them.

 

[CountGlockula]

It's still under investigation...I hope there isn't more to the story.

It's sad to see a LE go down like that. A lot of money went into that guy, and this happens. Don't forget your training.