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UW student killed in gun accident
Casper Star Tribune
| Nov 15, 02
Posted on 11/15/2002 12:02:40 PM PST by SLB
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - A University of Wyoming student accidentally killed himself by pointing a loaded handgun to his head and pulling the trigger, according to police. Shane W. Rothmeyer, 30, apparently did not know the gun was loaded.
The accident happened while Rothmeyer and three others were socializing at a residence Nov. 7. The men were drinking but were not legally drunk, according to Commander Dale Stalder.
Stalder said the group was discussing unloaded weapons when Rothmeyer picked up the .44-magnum, recently purchased by one of the men.
"It's a horrible tragedy," Police Chief Dave O'Malley said. "You've got one young man who is dead and you have three others who will remember that morning for the rest of their lives."
Investigators ruled out homicide but planned to do gunshot residue testing.
Rothmeyer, originally from Casper, studied wildlife management at the university. A memorial service was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Canterbury House.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Wyoming
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Darwin?
1
posted on
11/15/2002 12:02:40 PM PST
by
SLB
To: Lion Den Dan; Squantos; AAABEST; Joe Brower; harpseal; Jeff Head; Sir Gawain; Fred Mertz; ...
BTTT
2
posted on
11/15/2002 12:03:58 PM PST
by
SLB
To: SLB
Rule #1 Treat every gun like it's loaded. #2 Don't mess with a gun if your under the influence. Especially a .44 Mag. man I know that made a mess.
To: SLB
Is this one of those cases where someone doesn't realize there's a round in the pipe, then they drop the clip, and jokingly shoot themselves only to find out the gun actually fires when they pull the trigger? I have heard rumors of that happening but have never seen an actual instance of it reported...
It's a tragedy for this man's family and friends... And most likely, people will inappropriately respond with further calls for restrictions on gun ownership rather than more gun safety courses. The latter would fix the problem, the former would not.
To: SLB
This was a 30 yr old. No excuse.
5
posted on
11/15/2002 12:06:27 PM PST
by
zlala
To: SLB
Sue the manufacturer of this obviously defective saturday-night-special!
To: American Soldier
Is this one of those cases where someone doesn't realize there's a round in the pipe, then they drop the clip, and jokingly shoot themselves only to find out the gun actually fires when they pull the trigger? Since it was a .44 Magnum, my guess is that is was a revolver.
7
posted on
11/15/2002 12:08:22 PM PST
by
DrNo
To: Britton J Wingfield
Some people are too dumb to live.
8
posted on
11/15/2002 12:08:30 PM PST
by
Tax-chick
To: SLB
This is horrendous!
This alone should be used to show people that they HAVE to respect firearms, always treat them as loaded... I've never understood people who pointed guns at themselves or other in jest. I just don't get it. Even before I was taught how to use them, i knew to respect them.
To: SLB
NOT AN ACCIDENT!
To: SLB
What a way to thin this herd.
To: DrNo
ReminderWhen someone hands you a firearm, or you pick one up, ALWAYS check the chamber(s) to confirm that it is unloaded.
Even if you just put it down yourself a few minutes earlier!
12
posted on
11/15/2002 12:12:09 PM PST
by
DrNo
To: DrNo; SLB
Old days I'd agree with your guess but with desert eagle 44 magnums etc it's possible it was either or .......Stay Safe !
13
posted on
11/15/2002 12:13:00 PM PST
by
Squantos
To: DrNo
Desert Eagle makes a .44 Mag auto.
To: SLB
"LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - A University of Wyoming student accidentally negligently (and very stupidly, I might add) killed himself by pointing a loaded handgun to his head and pulling the trigger" There are no accidental discharges, only negligent, or in this case, completely stupid ones.
VPG
To: SLB
"Hold mu' brain!" Alert.
To: SLB
My pop told me: "You must treat every gun as though it is loaded--so you might as well go ahead and load it."
To: SLB
"A University of Wyoming student accidentally killed himself by pointing a loaded handgun to his head and pulling the trigger..."
Yep. That'll do 'er, alright.
To: chookter; Squantos
Desert Eagle makes a .44 Mag auto. That's why it was a guess
Odds still are that it was a revolver
19
posted on
11/15/2002 12:19:15 PM PST
by
DrNo
To: SLB
"You've got one young man who is dead and you have three others who will remember that morning for the rest of their lives." Now they have learned, by being present at this "premium" gun safety course, that they must respect a gun.
Show & Tell extraordinaire!
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