Man shoots self at Chabot

[rkt88edmo]

From the Contra Costa Times tonight
Mon, Aug. 07, 2006

Man cleaning gun fatally shoots self at gun range

CASTRO VALLEY - A Castro Valley man accidentally shot and killed himself Monday afternoon while he was cleaning his gun in the parking lot of a local shooting range.

At 3:15 p.m., East Bay Regional Park District police received reports of a gunshot victim at the Anthony Chabot Gun Club on Redwood Road, Lt. Dave Dubowy said.

Officers and paramedics at the scene found a man with a gunshot wound to the head inside a pickup truck in the gun range's parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 80-year-old Castro Valley man, whose identity was not released pending notification of family, had been shooting at the firing range, Dubowy said.

Police are still investigating the incident, but early indications suggest the gun accidentally discharged as the man was cleaning the weapon, Dubowy said.

-- Cassandra Braun

[blacklisted]

That's why they don't allow uncased guns outside the firing line. I guess they should keep a better eye on the parking lot...

[Creampuff]

I was sighting in my OLL this afternoon, when they all of sudden called the "Cease Fire". It was a very sobering afternoon, especially since I parked my car next to his car, and I walked past the deceased (obviously covered) when we were all given the clearance to leave.

I have to say I was impressed with how professionally everyone handled the situation from the East Bay Regional Park and Oakland police, to the range officer that afternoon.

[ghideon]

That's why they don't allow uncased guns outside the firing line. I guess they should keep a better eye on the parking lot...

I was at Chabot for the first time about two weeks ago, and that didn't seem to be the case? They allow rifles uncased in the parking lot, muzzles up and chambers open? Or am I mistaken?

[Creampuff]

I was at Chabot for the first time about two weeks ago, and that didn't seem to be the case? They allow rifles uncased in the parking lot, muzzles up and chambers open? Or am I mistaken?

Straight from their website:


Muzzle control is strictly enforced. If a firearm is not in a case, it must be carried muzzle up, with the action open at all times.

Casing and uncasing of firearms must be done at the shooting benches with muzzles (the pointy end) pointed downrange (toward the targets)!

[VeryCoolCat]

The first question I would ask myself. Was the guy a gun veteran.

If he were... I can't see him "accidentally" shooting himself. Maybe it was a suicide that was staged so relatives could get insurance money... because who cleans their gun in a car.

Unless hes just some guy who inexperience put himself in that situation.

Kinda weird all these shootings/suicides are happening all close together.... and strange enough... we always have someone post on the forums that was actually there.

[C.G.]

The guy was 80 years old, they forget stuff at times. What was this thread about?

[leelaw]

"accidentally discharged"

It's not accidental if you loaded it then pulled the trigger.

Any indication of a suicide?

[m1aowner]

I almost went there yesterday, just didn't have enough time. Glad I didn't go, that would've been a huge downer. I believe that's the first ever fatality at Chabot. Flippin sad.

[BigMac]

If it's Chabots first fatality.... the two rounds in SKS rule is based on BS.

They told me some guy shot himeself when his SKS went auto...

[CalNRA]

I have to say I was impressed with how professionally everyone handled the situation from the East Bay Regional Park and Oakland police, to the range officer that afternoon.

what was Oakland PD doing in Castro valley? I thought Castro Valley had its own PD since it is an incorporated city?

[Creampuff]

what was Oakland PD doing in Castro valley? I thought Castro Valley had its own PD since it is an incorporated city?

The officers who interviewed us were EBRP police, but I am pretty sure the officer who escorted us to our cars was OPD. To be honest, I didn't get a good look at his car or the uniform, as there were too many other distracting things going on. Interesting point though, since Castro Valley is unincorporated, I usually see either the CHP or Alameda county sherriffs in our neck of the woods - I didn't see either one of those department yesterday. OPD was closer perhaps??

[CalNRA]

The officers who interviewed us were EBRP police, but I am pretty sure the officer who escorted us to our cars was OPD. To be honest, I didn't get a good look at his car or the uniform, as there were too many other distracting things going on. Interesting point though, since Castro Valley is unincorporated, I usually see either the CHP or Alameda county sherriffs in our neck of the woods - I didn't see either one of those department yesterday. OPD was closer perhaps??

good point, i didn't know CV is unincoporated, good for you guys, you can still fire airguns in you back yards if you live in town!!!

I can see how the OPD can get there quicker if they took 238 and then 580 from 880. It's amazing how big of an area OPD covers though, from the Alamed all the way to the foot hills.


op topic, it's a terrible way to end one's life, especially accidentally.

[blacklisted]

I was at Chabot for the first time about two weeks ago, and that didn't seem to be the case? They allow rifles uncased in the parking lot, muzzles up and chambers open? Or am I mistaken?

That's only if you don't have a case. What I meant to say is that you can't case or uncase behind the firing line.

[Trempel]

That sucks!

It wasn't a guy with a muzzle-loader, was it?