Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Man unintentionally shoots friend, tries to comfort him while he dies

60-year-old Anthony Kelich of Carson City, Nevada was in the desert with his two roommates, Mike Scott, 46, and Kennith Johnson, 47, drinking and shooting a rifle. They were heading back when Johnson stopped the truck to urinate. When he went to get out of the truck he handed the loaded rifle to Kelich who was sitting in the front passenger seat. Scott was standing outside, next to the driver's door.
Kelich told police he had his finger on the trigger and when he went to put the gun down he unintentionally discharged it. The bullet went through the open door and hit Scott in the left side of his face.
In a panic, Johnson took off in his truck, taking all the cell phones with him, and leaving behind the wounded man and his roommate. Johnson neglected to send help back and the next morning Kelich stumbled out of the canyon where he finally found help.
Kelich told police that he had stayed by Scott's side all night, trying his best to comfort him. He said Scott died a short time before dawn.
Because Kelich has a felony record and is therefore prohibited from possessing a gun and because he admitted to drinking while using the gun he has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter.
Police are still investigating the incident, including trying to figure out where Kennith Johnson was all night and why he never called for help.

1 comment:

Baldr Odinson said...

Oh, where to start? Drinking, combined with loaded guns, and a felon to boot, out in the middle of nowhere. What did they expect would happen? These guys are nominees for the Darwin award.