Local news reports
A Newark man was killed last night when a gun he was handling accidentally fired.
Christopher Byerly, 23, was visiting a friend at 569 E. Main St. Newark Police Sgt. Paul Davis said that Byerly was carelessly handling a firearm that belonged to the resident.
When the gun owner tried to retrieve the gun, Davis said, Byerly pulled away. His thumb got caught in the trigger guard and the gun fired, shooting Byerly in the chest.
Byerly, of 88 N. Buena Vista St. in Newark, was taken to Licking Memorial Hospital, where he died.
Davis said there was no evidence of any criminal activity.
‘It was completely accidental,” said Davis. “We don’t anticipate any type of criminal charges being filed.”
