A Vancouver Island senior who accidentally shot himself in the head did not believe the gun was loaded, say police investigating the case.
The 81-year-old was in the process of moving his 22 calibre rifle from a high closet shelf shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday when the gun discharged.
The man’s wife called 911 to their Ladysmith home after finding her husband seriously injured.
He was rushed to hospital by BC Ambulance Service but passed away from his injuries several hours later.
After examining the home, members of the RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section determined that the incident was “self-inflicted, but completely accidental.”
“We believe he thought it was unloaded because of how he was handling it – and in the process of bring it down he was shot in the head,” Cpl. Darren Lagan told CTV News.
Lagan said accidental shootings, especially fatal ones, are rare on Vancouver Island, but that the incident is a “sad reminder” for gun owners to take proper care of their weapons.
The investigation has now been turned over to the BC Coroners Service and it’s expected the victim’s identity will be released in the next few days.
Statistics Canada says three per cent of all firearm-related deaths in the country are caused by the accidental discharge of a gun.
