Chattaroy man brain dead after shooting

A 19-year-old Chattaroy man is brain dead from an accidental shooting Saturday afternoon.

The victim remained on life-support equipment Sunday, according to a news release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The man was shot by a 24-year-old friend at a home in the 3700 block of North Madison Road in Elk around 10:20 p.m. Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The two had been to a barbecue, where the 24-year-old showed his pistol. Reports indicate he removed the cylinder pin and did not replace it before returning the gun to its holster.

Later, while the men played pool, the 24-year-old attempted to reassemble the pistol by forcing the cylinder rod into the cocked gun. It fired, and a bullet hit the 19-year-old in the head, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The 24-year-old had at least three beers over the course of the evening, according to reports.

The men’s names have not been released. The case remains under investigation.