Deleon Alonso Smith was going to start community college on Wednesday, but the 19-year-old Houston resident fatally shot himself while posing for a selfie Tuesday afternoon.
Deleon Alonso Smith, 19.
According to authorities, the shooting was an accident and Smith died of a gunshot wound to the throat.
“It’s the worst feeling in my life,” said the victim’s uncle Eric Douglas in an interview with KPRC.
“It’s a numb feeling. It’s still unbelievable. Yesterday was my birthday and he came to wish me happy birthday, and now this kind of news,” said Smith’s grandmother Alma Douglas.
Investigators said the Smith and his cousin found the gun a day earlier. Smith believed the gun was unloaded while he was using it to take the photo.
An investigation is still ongoing.
Tragedy’s like this one should remind the public officials, school leaders, law enforcement officers and politicians that EVERYONE should be taught the four rules of firearm safety:
- All guns are always loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
Had this young man followed these basic rules he would still be with us today. Ignorance is a killer.
A candidate for this year’s Darwin Awards!
So, what’s with the bad language written on the mirror? Does that make the selfie even more gangsta?
What he do? Mistake the gun for the camera. I guess they should outlaw gangster selfies. Everyone make some signs. We have a movement to start. GANGSTER SELFIES KILL
Always hold your gun sideways.