A friend of mine accidentally shot and killed himself this weekend

[Son of Liberty]

Scroll down for the newspaper article w/ details

More of an acquaintance than a friend, but still, I knew this guy and he popped his head off this weekend. He had failed out of school and lived in an apartment near campus. He threw parties fairly regularly. A few months ago, he bought several firearms including a Glock 17. He got in the dangerous habit of showing them off at parties and loading and 'playing' with them when he was drunk. Well, on Friday/Saturday night that habit caught up with him and he shot himself in the head.

Apparently, he had been recklessly pointing his supposedly unloaded Glock at friends late-night. They understandably freaked out and told him to put it away. He tried to cowboy-style twirl the 'empty' gun, it discharged, and he died instantly - in front of ten of his friends.

Fucking shame, but:
1) He was being very reckless with firearms
2) He died instantly, no horrible bleed out in front of friends
3) No one else got hurt.

He bragged to me about how he always kept the Glock loaded. A friend of mine said he watched this kid rack a live round and tuck the pistol into his waistband and then walk out into a party. He told everyone he was going to join the Marines and needed to train - always trying to be a tough guy.

I just visited his Facebook page and his memory is lingering in my head. Maybe his fate was to be an example to others about the grave importance of proper gun ownership. Maybe there is no such thing as fate. Whatever, this kid I knew is dead.

Former OWU student dies after apparent gunshot accident

Saturday, February 26, 2011, 4:29:36 PM

ANDREW TOBIAS

Staff Writer

A 22-year old former Ohio Wesleyan University student died in his downtown apartment early Saturday following a suspected accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Delaware police.

Alexander Tyler, of Delaware, died Saturday after shooting himself with a handgun around 3:30 a.m. at 13 E. Winter St., according to Delaware Police Chief Russ Martin.

There were about 10 other current OWU students in the off-campus apartment at the time of the shooting, Martin said. Two men who were at the apartment told 911 dispatchers that Tyler accidentally shot himself in the head. One said Tyler owned several legally-registered firearms, according to a recording of the call.

“He thought his gun was empty and he shot himself in the head. He’s bleeding on the ground right now. There’s nothing I can do,” the victim's roommate told a 911 dispatcher.

While people were consuming alcohol in the apartment, it is not yet known whether alcohol played a contributing role in the shooting, Martin said.

“Everybody that was present was very cooperative, and so at this point we don’t believe there was anything suspicious other than the tragedy of a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Martin said.

Detectives worked through the morning and will continue to investigate over the weekend. More definitive answers won’t be known about the cause of the shooting until the Delaware County Coroner’s Office submits a report, Martin said.

Tyler, originally from the Pittsburgh area, attended OWU from fall semester 2009 through fall semester 2010, according to OWU spokesman Cole Hatcher. OWU President Rock Jones announced the shooting in an e-mail this morning, but no security protocols were initiated since the campus was not in danger, Hatcher said.

The e-mail included information about campus counseling services.

"In moments such as these, it is important for us to aid and support each other and demonstrate the strength of being part of the OWU family,” Jones said in the e-mail.

atobias@delgazette.com
source

edit: I obviously meant the thread title to be "A friend of mine accidentally shot and killed himself this weekend"

[Marijuanasaurus]

HAHA! What a MORON!

[Vizier]

Darwin would be proud.

[DECI4]

I think the important thing is remember this poor kid as a martyr for the gun control movement. Hopefully this will allow us to curtail the "rights" of the gun whackos even further.

[Soupa]

good

[Bong McPuffin]

[944]

4 fucking rules, why do so many people have problems following them?

[CountBlah]

[virgil caine]

as long as you dont point the guns at yourself your fine

the whole showing loaded guns to groups of random pepole and haveing to unload it to look cool because you keep your gun loaded while drunk is a bit much though

nevermind oh tehe im gonna shoot myself in the head guys haha bang oh yeah i keep it loaded

[ComradeAsh]

Delaware?

Hey! We're in Delaware.

[Rainycity]

what a cool guy, i wish i could meet hi............m

[Sir Cornwell]

Should have played in the house (cops don't like fake realistic guns in public) with a fake gun.

Any 10 year old who has accidentally killed his friend with a gun could have told him that they're not anything like a toy.

[cowtipper]

So my assumpton is that he always had the saftey on it, and one day someone took it off... cause showin off you know, and always check your self before you wreck yourself... IDK MAN! THats tough, but i am sure everyone will do fine getting through it.

[Cito]

[944]

Originally Posted by cowtipper

So my assumpton is that he always had the saftey on it, and one day someone took it off... cause showin off you know, and always check your self before you wreck yourself... IDK MAN! THats tough, but i am sure everyone will do fine getting through it.

Only safety that matters is between your ears

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by cowtipper

So my assumpton is that he always had the saftey on it, and one day someone took it off... cause showin off you know, and always check your self before you wreck yourself... IDK MAN! THats tough, but i am sure everyone will do fine getting through it.

glocks dont have safety levers. Good thing too, otherwise this guy would still be alive and we'd have one more idiot in America

[Hydroponichronic]

Originally Posted by LouisCypher

I think the important thing is remember this poor kid as a martyr for the gun control movement. Hopefully this will allow us to curtail the "rights" of the gun whackos even further.

Originally Posted by Bong McPuffin

I lol'd so hard.

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by distortion

glocks dont have safety levers. Good thing too, otherwise this guy would still be alive and we'd have one more idiot in America

Translation: glocks don't have the typical/traditional thumb safety switch.
Was it the guy from the tec 9 video in that other thread*crosses fingers*

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by 944

Only safety that matters is between your ears

Only if you get it from the right manufacturer... there's some dodgy examples around.

I hope the world hasn't lost a good man and I hope someone learns from his mistake. It was his own fault though so I don't exactly find it tragic. Whenever I hear of modern examples of natural selection the world feels a little lighter. Sorry you lost a friend OP.

Everyone who buys a gun should have to attend a safety lecture and answer some basic questions imo. Wouldn't stop everyone from doing shit like this though. I remember a story here where a guy was posing with his pistol while his girl took a photo. He was pointing it at the camera and accidentally shot her in the face.

[1983]

Some people will loose their heads over the stupidest things.

Al

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by nutsack

Only if you get it from the right manufacturer...

I hope the world hasn't lost a good man and I hope someone learns from his mistake. It was his own fault though so I don't exactly find it tragic. Whenever I hear of modern examples of natural selection the world feels a little lighter.

Everyone who buys a gun should have to attend a safety lecture and answer some basic questions imo. Wouldn't stop everyone from doing shit like this though. I remember a story here where a guy was posing with his pistol while his girl took a photo. He was pointing it at the camera and accidentally shot her in the face.

Its called taking it to the range. Every first timer at the range learns the basics.

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

Translation: glocks don't have the typical/traditional thumb safety switch.

translation: glocks do not have any safeties that prevent you from pulling the trigger and firing. the safety it has on the trigger face is only for keeping it safe while holstering

[ComradeAsh]

Originally Posted by nutsack

Everyone who buys a gun should have to attend a safety lecture and answer some basic questions imo.

Wait, you guys DON'T have to?


Holy fuck.

[p6867]

No most states don't require anything and firearm accidents are just as common among the gun owning populations of states that require a safety class and those that do not.

[Son of Liberty]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

Its called taking it to the range. Every first timer at the range learns the basics.

this dude was going to the range regularly, maybe even a member. He actually had the Black Hawk Down "only trigger I need" mentality which went to shit when he was wasted at 3:30AM on a Friday night/Saturday morning.

Still, I dont get how twirling it cowboy-style activated the trigger, but that what several witnesses said he was doing.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by ComradeAsh

Wait, you guys DON'T have to?


Holy fuck.

We do here in NZ

[944]

Originally Posted by Son of Liberty

Still, I dont get how twirling it cowboy-style activated the trigger, but that what several witnesses said he was doing.

You don't see how spinning it around by the trigger guard could end up with the trigger being pulled?

[944]

Originally Posted by nutsack

Only if you get it from the right manufacturer... there's some dodgy examples around.

Follow the 4 rules and you'll never hurt someone unintentionally

[p6867]

Originally Posted by Son of Liberty

this dude was going to the range regularly, maybe even a member. He actually had the Black Hawk Down "only trigger I need" mentality which went to shit when he was wasted at 3:30AM on a Friday night/Saturday morning.

Still, I dont get how twirling it cowboy-style activated the trigger, but that what several witnesses said he was doing.

Well your acquaintance was a disaster who had no business owning firearms. He obviously didn't have the only trigger i need mentality as he shot himself in the fucking head. Alcohol, crowds, parties and guns go together about as poorly as anything. At least he only shot himself and not anyone else, but those people should have gotten the fuck out of there, that's what i do when drunk dicks start playing with loaded guns.

[1983]

Originally Posted by 944

You don't see how spinning it around by the trigger guard could end up with the trigger being pulled?

Al

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by 1983

Al

Note the regular safety right above the trigger. What the fuck is distortion talking about?

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by nutsack

Note the regular safety right above the trigger. What the fuck is distortion talking about?

Thats what he is talking about. That is a "lever"

Originally Posted by 1983

Al

It could easily happen by spinning it around "cowboy style" its not like that safety will stop it when his finger is in the trigger well and he is twirling a semi automatic hand gun like a single action revolver(where the the hammer would normally down while twirling and I mean single shot revolvers)

[Charles Manson]

Lol I agree with muffins.

This is natural selection at its finest.

[ilovechronic]

If it were an XD he would wouldn't have shot himself in this case, but still he probably would have fucked up eventually.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

Thats what he is talking about. That is a "lever"

It's not a lever like on a 1911 or similar, more of a awkward little switch. I would say it makes it harder to keep the safety on and have the option of taking it off quickly as you draw, but is just as effective at locking the gun in an unfirable state.



Didn't he say there is no such thing and only the trigger safety?

If that switch is something completely different feel free to call me an idiot because I don't own one of these...

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by nutsack

It's not a lever like on a 1911 or similar, more of a awkward little switch. I would say it makes it harder to keep the safety on and have the option of taking it off quickly as you draw, but is just as effective at locking the gun in an unfirable state.



Didn't he say there is no such thing and only the trigger safety?

If that switch is something completely different feel free to call me an idiot because I don't own one of these...

That switch is to disassemble the weapon IIRC.
No the glock doesn't have any safety like that, it is referring to the lever sticking out of the middle of the actual trigger.

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by 1337

My girlfriend's sister was recently shot and killed at a college party by some fucking frat mook with an AR15.
http://www.panhandleparade.com/index...ng/mbb7727629/

What a fucking moron. Guns and alcohol just does not mix. The procedure with an AR is to of course keep your finger straight down the lower receiver and out of the trigger guard. Remove mag. Double rack charging handle while eyeing the chamber. All while keeping it pointed in a safe direction.

[944]

Originally Posted by nutsack

It's not a lever like on a 1911 or similar, more of a awkward little switch. I would say it makes it harder to keep the safety on and have the option of taking it off quickly as you draw, but is just as effective at locking the gun in an unfirable state.





Didn't he say there is no such thing and only the trigger safety?

If that switch is something completely different feel free to call me an idiot because I don't own one of these...

That is not a safety, that's to strip to gun

[944]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

If it were an XD he would wouldn't have shot himself in this case, but still he probably would have fucked up eventually.

If it was a 1911 it wouldn't have either. And to think some of those Glock guys call us paranoid for having redundant safety devices....

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by 944

If it was a 1911 it wouldn't have either. And to think some of those Glock guys call us paranoid for having redundant safety devices....

yeah I will think about that next time I twirl my gun cow boy style LOL.(sarcasm) He had to be drunk to do that and then manage to pull the trigger because the weight of the gun usually is usually towards the front of the trigger guard(muzzle) as you would twirl it. Haha I have had a few single action cap guns in my day.