Accidental Shooting of Kentucky Man by Self - He's Dead, His Friend is Seriously Wounded

Kentucky.com reports

Kevin McElrath, 25, was found dead of gunshot wound to the head in the kitchen of his home. He was pronounced dead by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling.
Eric Partain, 22, of Williamsburg was critically injured from a head wound. He was taken by ambulance to the London airport and then airlifted to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital.
According to witness statements, the shooting happened after McElrath removed the clip from a .45-caliber pistol and it accidentally discharged, hitting him in the head, the release said.
Partain was struck in the head with the same bullet.

Sounds like he forgot there was one in the chamber. How can this happen so often? Please don't tell me to divide the number of these incidents by the 80 million gun owners in the country. The fact that it EVER happens is unbelievable, as is the fact that people would ever point the gun at themselves. Who are these people?
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