Father dies after shooting himself in the head during gun safety lesson

St. Louis Post Dispatch ^ | 10-1-2002 | Tim Rowden

[Cagey]

A Jefferson County man trying to teach his son about gun safety accidentally shot himself in the head Sunday, police said.

Randal Lewis, 40, of Imperial died Sunday evening at St. Anthony's Medical Center in south St. Louis County. The shooting occurred about 4:30 p.m.

[Cagey]

Hold Muh Brains Alert!

[aShepard]

Darwin candidate

[Labyrinthos]

Could be a nomination for a Darwin Award.

[aruanan]

A Jefferson County man trying to teach his son about gun safety accidentally shot himself in the head Sunday, police said.

Couldn't possibly have done a more thorough job. Poor boy, though.

[Huck]

That poor child. I lost my father to cancer when I was 15, and let me tell you, it changes your life forever. But to lose your dad in such a horrible and senseless and dumb way, and to witness it? Pray for that child.

[dd5339]

Ping

[TennTuxedo]

Darwin Award candidate and one less vote for Gephardt and Carnahan.

[SouthernFreebird]

Some people just go to the extreme to make a point.

[Larry Lucido]

Could be a nomination for a Darwin Award.

No, he's already procreated. Let's hope the kid inherited his intellect from his mom, not his dad.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Serious Darwin candidate!

"Here, suhn, hol' muh ber. Iz git to shows ya hows to chek fer a loded pistol!"

[RogueIsland]

For future reference: before attempting to teach firearm safety, learn something about firearm safety.

[HamiltonJay]

This poor child, to have to see his father shot like that, my sympathy and prayers go to this family.

[RipSawyer]

"Couldn't possibly have done a more thorough job. Poor boy, though."

Does the name Jon Eric Hexum ring a bell? I may have that spelled wrong.

[GraniteStateConservative]

He'll run for Congress as a gun-grabber one day.

[calvin sun]

Does the name Jon Eric Hexum ring a bell? I may have that spelled wrong.

The late actor, who starred in the 80s TV series "Double Cross" (with Jennifer O'Neill)? He died under similar circumstances, I believe. In fact, as a result, the TV show changed their opening credits to remove a picture of a gun as it is pointed toward the viewer and fired.

[Intimidator]

My prayers go out to the boy but this guy is a darwin award winner. He neglected the 1st and most important rule of gun safety. 1. MAKE SURE THE GUN IS ALWAYS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

[tracer]

D-OH!! But let's not be too tough on the late dad.

My friend's nephew (a transferee from the DEA, no less) was shot and almost killed during a firearms classroom session at the FBI Academy by an "expert" instructor.

But, then, he was visited in the hospital by none other than Director Freeh, so I suppose it was worth it.

Strangely enough, this never "made the papers"...

[dfwgator]

Further proof that those who can't do...teach.

[Huck]

Sarah Brady's probably on the phone with his mother as we speak. He'll be their new poster child.

[Billthedrill]

BtD's Firearms Safety Tip #10372: Always put the safety on before pointing a firearm at your head and pulling the trigger to see if it's loaded.