Ohio Man Arrested in Friends Accidental Shooting Death

Local news reports

Ryan Raider allegedly shot his roommate Brandon Smith while Smith was lying in bed with his girlfriend, according to a search warrant filed Tuesday in Lorain County Court of Common Pleas. 

Smith’s girlfriend, Emily Markel, told police that they had been out drinking earlier in the evening, and Smith and Raider had been playing with firearms when they returned home. She said when she and Smith went to bed, Raider continued playing with a firearm that later fired a shot into Smith’s head. 

Raider, who was questioned after the incident, told police that the gun discharged when he dropped it, but he later changed his story to say that the gun was about to fall and he caught it when it went off. 

Police said Raider appeared to be intoxicated, but he did not grant police consent to search his residence that night. 

Smith was flown to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, where he died after Markel called 911 at 3:16 a.m. Saturday. Raider was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and having weapons while intoxicated. 

Police indicated that the semi-automatic pistol that Smith was shot with was not the only weapon in the house. Police said there were four other firearms, including three assault-style rifles. Police found those firearms, as well as ammunition and magazines in a gun safe in the bedroom. A .40-caliber magazine was found on the bedroom floor, and a .40-caliber casing was found on the bed. Rounds were also found kitchen floor. 

Our pro-gun commenters often claim that guns do not discharge when dropped.  They say what usually happens is someone tries to catch the gun as it's falling and inadvertently hits the trigger. This story is a case in point.