An Imperial man died from a gunshot, apparently accidental, Saturday night (March 22), the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The death remains under investigation, authorities say.
The man’s 29-year-old wife fired the 9 mm pistol that killed David Utz, 43, Capt. Ron Arnhart said. The Sheriff’s Office received a call about 9:55 p.m. of an accidental shooting in the 2000 block of Treybrook Court in Imperial.
“He and his wife had some friends over and they all were looking at some of their guns,” Arnhart said. “His wife stepped out of the room. He had loaded a 9 mm gun while she was out. He was looking at another gun when she returned. She picked up the 9 mm she did not know was loaded and while she was looking at it, it went off. She had to have pulled the trigger. When we arrived, he was already deceased. At present, it looks like a horrible accident.”
Arnhart said he did not know if the wife will face any charges.
“We will finish the investigation and turn over the report to the (Jefferson County) Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,” he said. “The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will decide whether to press charges.”