Man accidentally shoots himself dead while posing for a selfie with a gun

Police say he was “handling a gun he believed to be unloaded.”

By Dan MacGuill Wednesday 2 Sep 2015, 8:40 PM

Sep 2nd 2015, 8:40 PM 34,484 Views 79 Comments

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forumpark Deleon Alonso Smith's Forum Park apartment complex. Source: Google Maps

POLICE IN THE Texas city of Houston say a 19-year-old man was posing for a selfie with a gun, when the gun went off, killing him, yesterday.

Deleon Alonso Smith was taking photos of himself in his bedroom in the Forum Park neighbourhood of southwestern Houston, when he was shot in the “upper body.”

Local media are reporting that he was struck in the throat.

According to a police statement, Smith was “handling a gun he believed to be unloaded.”

Paramedics rushed to the apartment at around 1 pm (7 pm Irish time), and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Smith’s grandmother, Alma Douglas, told local news website KPRC:

It’s a numb feeling. It’s still unbelievable. Yesterday was my birthday, and he came to wish me Happy Birthday, and now this kind of news.

Smith was a father of two young daughters, and was due to start college today.

Houston police say they are continuing to investigate the shooting, but no charges have been brought.

Read: Woman accidentally shoots herself in the head while taking a selfie>

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Man accidentally shoots himself dead while posing for a selfie with a gun

Police say he was “handling a gun he believed to be unloaded.”