Authorities identify victim of fatal shooting

A 19-year-old Chattaroy man declared dead Tuesday after being accidentally shot last week has been identified as Tom J. Grauberger.

Grauberger was brain dead but on life support after a pistol discharged as his 24-year-old friend tried to reassemble it, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The friend said he had consumed three beers that day, officials said.

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 wound to his head. He was airlifted to a downtown hospital.

He was taken off life support Tuesday, police said.

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.