Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Victim identified in fatal accidental shooting

A 19-year-old Chattaroy man who was declared dead today after being accidentally shot last weekend has been identified as Tom J. Grauberger. Grauberger was brain dead but on life support after a pistol discharged when his 24-year-old friend tried to reassemble it, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The shooter called deputies to the home in the 37000 block of North Madison Road in Elk about 10:20 p.m. Saturday, where they found Grauberger with a gunshot to his head. He was airlifted to a downtown hospital and taken off life support today. The shooter, whose name has not been released, told investigators he was trying to reassemble the pistol by forcing the cylinder rod into the cocked gun when it fired. Sgt. Dave Reagan said he hasn’t “heard any mention of criminal charges.” The investigation is ongoing.