Dad's shooting death ruled homicide but classified accidental

7/16/2010

FINDLAY — The death of a Findlay man who was shot in the head while showing his 7-year-old son how to fire a rifle has been ruled a homicide, the Hancock County coroner said Thursday.

Bradley Hammer, 39, died Monday afternoon after he was shot in his backyard. Dr. Mark Fox said the incident “truly looks like an accident,” but he ruled Mr. Hammer's death a homicide because it was caused by a person discharging a firearm and causing another person's death.

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman said his office would close the case as an accidental shooting. The sheriff said it appeared the youth was holding the 22-caliber rifle with the barrel pointed straight up when Mr. Hammer leaned over to talk to him, and the boy accidentally pulled the trigger.