A Port Vue police officer whose son young killed himself with his service pistol told investigators he kept the gun "ready to rock" with a round in the chamber in the same closet as snacks and Christmas gifts.
John A. Thompson, 38, of Liberty surrendered Wednesday to Allegheny County police on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child in the Nov. 26 death of Gavin Thompson, 5.
"This has been a horrible tragedy for him and his family," said Thompson's attorney, Anthony DeLuca. "He's grieving. He lost a son. This boy was his right-hand man."
Thompson was released on non-monetary bond and faces a hearing Jan. 28 in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
Thompson was at his F Street home with four of his five children when Gavin used an office chair to climb up and grab the pistol from a shelf in a bedroom closet, according to a criminal complaint. Gavin died from a self-inflicted shot in his head.
Read more: Port Vue police officer charged in son's shooting - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_718882.html#ixzz1EqqKTd27Depends on the investigators, DA, local law and the "thin blue line". A state trooper's 4 or 5 year old son shot and injured himself and there was no charges. Uneven enforcement.