A woman from Upstate New York was shot and killed when the gun her husband was cleaning accidentally discharged.
Ashley Rosenbrock, 34, was shot on Nov. 16 in Corinth and was later pronounced dead at Saratoga Hospital, the New York Post reported.
Eric Rosenbrock, her husband, was “performing maintenance” of the firearm when it went off, said police. He legally owned the gun, the Post reported.
No charges have been filed in the case, and an investigation is underway.
The shooting occurred at the couple’s home at 10:30 p.m., the Post-Star reported. Police didn’t say what type of handgun it was.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica determined her death was “consistent with the information and evidence that has been discovered to this point in the investigation,” police said. They didn’t explain where the woman was hit or how the gun discharged.
Rosenbrock, a science teacher in the Lake George Central School District, was questioned extensively by authorities on Thursday and Friday, the Post-nStar reported.
“A sudden loss like this can have a profound effect on family, friends, colleagues, parents, and students,” the school district told The New York Times in a statement. “It is important that we recognize this loss and support each other through this time.”
“Our grief is great and our hearts and support go out to Mr. Rosenbrock’s family,” the statement added.
He could face criminally negligent homicide or manslaughter charges in the case.
The couple has three young children, and neighbors told the Post Star they’re good parents and nice people. The paper noted that the couple’s 18-month old daughter, Vivienne, had died of an infection five years ago, and they had been involved in extensive fundraising since then. “It was just a way for me to say, ‘Don’t focus on what’s missing. Live your life to the fullest,’” she told the Post-Star several years ago.
“Vivienne ran from room to room with her heart-stealing grin with the big gap between her two brand-new front teeth,” an obituary for the toddler read. “She gave a hug that felt like she was giving all she had. She stole every heart she touched.”
“He looked like he was shaken very bad,” said Rita Mosher, 74, who lives next door to the Rosenbrocks, according to The New York Times.
Mosher added: “I can’t imagine what he’s going through. He’s got to feel horrible. I’m more worried about the children.” Other neighbors told the Times that police swarmed the neighborhood immediately after the shot was fired.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures show that unintentional firearm-related deaths are relatively rare, with only about 200 deaths in 2015.
According to the website Project Child Safe, there are tips on how to store a firearm in a home. “Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. A “safe direction” means that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred, it would not result in injury”‘ it says. “Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. Whenever you pick up a gun, such as when removing it from or returning it to storage, remember to point it in a safe direction and make sure it is unloaded,” the website adds.
