Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ROCHESTER - An Akron man is in fair condition at a Fort Wayne hospital after he was accidentally shot with his own gun by another man at a rural Rochester residence.
Geoffrey Reeser, 21, of 407 E. Rural St., Akron, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen in the 6:36 p.m. Wednesday incident at 8526 S. CR 1300W in Kosciusko County.
According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Reeser was on the floor in a second-floor bedroom when emergency crews arrived at the residence.
Reeser and Michael Hicks were with Michael Fincher at Fincher's residence, where the three were going to target practice. Reeser was sitting on a space heater in the bedroom while Hicks was loading a .45-caliber handgun belonging to Reeser. As Hicks attempted to lower the hammer, or de-cock, the weapon, it discharged and the bullet struck Reeser in the stomach.
Police said Hicks, 20, of South Maple Street, Akron was not familiar with the weapon and had no training in the use of that type of weapon.
Reeser was airlifted from the scene to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
Three .45-caliber handguns with magazines and ammunition were taken by police as evidence. The bullet that injured Reeser also was recovered and placed into evidence.
Assisting at the scene were personnel from Mentone police and fire departments and Mentone and Multi-Township emergency medical services.
The incident remains under investigation, but police said the shooting is believed to be accidental.
