Jacksonville man pulls trigger on what he thought was an unloaded gun. He accidentally killed his friend: NCSO

YULEE, Fla. – A 26-year-old Jacksonville man is facing manslaughter charges after what deputies call a deadly accidental shooting that happened in Nassau County on Saturday night, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.

According to an arrest report, Tyler Sheppard was visiting his friend in Yulee at a home on St. John Court. A witness told deputies that Skipper was “carelessly handling” a handgun before handing it to Shepperd.

When deputies spoke to Shepperd, he said Skipper was also “mishandling” the gun and “dry fired” it, which is the act of pulling the trigger on an unloaded gun, before handing it to him.

Thinking it was not loaded, Sheppard pointed the gun at Skipper and pulled the trigger, shooting him.

Sheppard called authorities and told them he accidentally shot his friend.

Skipper was taken to the hospital, where he died.

NCSO determined Skipper’s death was caused by Sheppard’s culpable negligence.

Shepperd was charged with manslaughter.