Originally published April 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM | Page modified April 13, 2009 at 1:19 PM

Comments (60) E-mail article Print view Share

Fort Lewis soldier killed in accidental shooting

A Fort Lewis soldier is dead after being accidentally shot in the head and killed by his wife in Olympia, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office reports.

By The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A Fort Lewis soldier is dead after being accidentally shot in the head and killed by his wife in Olympia the Thurston County Sheriff's Office says.

Lt. Chris Mealy of the sheriff's office told KOMO-TV the soldier was teaching his wife how to handle a handgun when he was shot early Sunday. Mealy told The Olympian that the semi-automatic handgun was the soldier's personal property.

Mealy says deputies were called at about 1:30 a.m. He says the soldier and his wife, both 25, had been out with friends before the shooting.

Mealy says after the couple got home, the soldier decided to teach his wife how to handle the handgun.

Mealy says the soldier's wife is not facing charges currently, but the sheriff's office is investigating the shooting. He says the soldier was scheduled to deployment soon. The couple's names were not released.

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view Share

Comments (60)

I've known people who treat guns very casually. They would point them at people and joke around. Always made me very uncomfortable. I'm... Posted on April 12, 2009 at 4:33 PM by dmpi. Jump to comment

It is so hard to believe that this soldier would allow his wife to handle his loaded weapon knowing she has no experience with firearms. Not buying... Posted on April 12, 2009 at 3:46 PM by Jahsoul. Jump to comment

There are lots of rule #1s when it comes to gun safety, in this case it's never load a gun unless you plan to shoot it. Assuming it was an... Posted on April 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM by m.lexi. Jump to comment

Read all comments / Share your thoughts