MERCER, Pa. (AP) — A 7-year-old boy had been buckling himself into his safety seat in the back of his father’s truck when he was shot to death after a handgun accidentally went off as his father got in the front seat, police said Sunday.
Joseph V. Loughrey, 44, told police he had been trying to sell the guns Saturday at Twigs Reloading Den in East Lackawannock Township, 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. He unloaded the magazine at home, but didn’t realize a bullet was still in the chamber, Lt. Eric Hermick said. His son, Craig Allen Loughrey, was shot in the chest and died at the scene.
State police Lt. Eric Hermick said Sunday the father had secured a rifle in the back of the truck and placed his pistol on the console when the handgun went off. Hermick said police are reviewing surveillance video from the store, which helped lay out the chain of events; the video is not being released.
“It is very clear-cut exactly what transpired here,” Hermick said of what he called clearly an accident. “As he’s laying it down, it discharges.”
An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday and the results of the investigation will be given to Mercer County District Attorney Robert G. Kochems, Hermick said. A message left with Kochems was not immediately returned Sunday.
Hermick said the father was very distraught and cooperative; he said he doubts there will be charges, but that it’s up to the district attorney. The father could face charges, including involuntary manslaughter, Hermick said.
“It’s obviously negligent and reckless to some degree,” he said. “It’s obviously in that gray area, where it’s a true accident. But is there negligence or recklessness with him not clearing the chamber?”
A message left at a telephone listing in the father’s name was not returned.
Associated Press
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So So tragic
I hope they charge the father. Why in the hell would he have a gun in a vehicle with a child in it. What if the child had started playing with it?
Somehow I suspect that there is no punishment anyone else could dole out, that could possibly be as bad as the father is putting himself through.
how does one accidently fire a gun? something just doesnt add up..
Why was it loaded???
Why dont you all just call up the grieving father and ask him all your stupid questions.
Bullets can get stuck in the chambers. This was a tragic accident.
So sad
my heart break for this family..thoughts and prayers!
There is NOTHING worse for a parent than to be responsible for the loss of a child!
Kelly how does one accidentally drive cars Into buildings or other cars. It’s called an accident for a reason.
Tim if you read the whole story he took out the clip but failed to check the chamber.
Yeah Kenneth that’ll fix the whole problem with society , jail people for accidents. People carry guns often around kids , ever see a cop gonintona school , hello….. The only thing I can come up with in this tragedy is the father thinking already the gun was empty had his finger in the trigger which was probably a low trigger pull. Check , check and recheck people .
Very sad and tragic accident.
Tragic accident due to ignoring fundamental safety rules.
ALWAYS assume a gun is loaded.
NEVER place your finger in the trigger guard until ready to fire.
The gun shop should also have checked and cleared the weapon if they were looking at buying it.
why the hell was the gun loaded?@daniel yes you always assume and double check..so tragic