UW student killed in gun accident

Casper Star Tribune | Nov 15, 02

[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.

[SLB]

Darwin?

[SLB]

BTTT

[HELLRAISER II]

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.

[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? 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.

[zlala]

This was a 30 yr old. No excuse.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Sue the manufacturer of this obviously defective saturday-night-special!

[DrNo]

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.

[Tax-chick]

Some people are too dumb to live.

[Freedom2specul8]

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.

[Tijeras_Slim]

NOT AN ACCIDENT!

[PatrioticAmerican]

What a way to thin this herd.

[DrNo]

Reminder

When 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!

[Squantos]

Old days I'd agree with your guess but with desert eagle 44 magnums etc it's possible it was either or .......Stay Safe !

[Cogadh na Sith]

Desert Eagle makes a .44 Mag auto.

[VERYProGun]

"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

[pabianice]

"Hold mu' brain!" Alert.

[Cogadh na Sith]

My pop told me: "You must treat every gun as though it is loaded--so you might as well go ahead and load it."

[rogue yam]

"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.

[DrNo]

Desert Eagle makes a .44 Mag auto.

That's why it was a guess

Odds still are that it was a revolver

[jdogbearhunter]

"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!