Crime & Safety

Gun Safety Lesson Ends Tragically When Oakland County Man Shoots Himself in the Head

The victim reportedly held three handguns to his head and pulled the trigger, explaining that firearms are safe when they're not loaded. A fatal bullet was discharged from the third gun.

An Oakland County man is dead after a gun safety lesson went tragically wrong Sunday.

A 36-year-old man from Independence Township reportedly shot himself in the head during a gun safety demonstration at a home in the 4400 block of Pinedale, near Sashabaw and Maybee Roads, the Detroit Free Press reports.

He reportedly had been drinking all the day.

Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When authorities from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office arrived about 9 p.m., the man’s girlfriend was performing CPR. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

She said her boyfriend held two handguns to his head and pulled the trigger while explaining they’re safe when they’re unloaded. When he repeated the demonstration with a third firearm, a bullet discharged.

Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Undersheriff Michael McCabe told the Oakland Press that the situation was “pretty unique.”

“I have never heard of anyone testing out the safety of a gun by pointing at their head and pulling the trigger,” he said.

Three children, ages 7, 10 and 12, who were at the residence were not hurt and did not witness the shooting.

The investigation is continuing.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Oakland Township-Lake Orion