RANGELY I A Rangely area man died following an accidental gunshot wound Thursday afternoon, according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Undersheriff Brice Glasscock, the Rangely Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 1:50 p.m. Thursday in reference to a report of an elderly male, identified Monday as Jarrell Massey, 85, with a gunshot wound to the head.
The Rangely Police Department, the sheriff’s office and Rangely Ambulance responded to 22319 Highway 64.
Upon arrival, officers and a deputy located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his head. The victim was near a shed located on the property.
Emergency medical service providers administered aid and transported Massey to Rangely District Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attending physician.
An autopsy was performed in Grand Junction by Dr. Robert Kurtzman on Friday morning.
The initial investigation revealed that Massey was walking out of the shed and tripped when the rifle he was carrying accidentally discharged, striking him in the head, Glasscock reported.
According to the report from the RBCSO, there is no foul play suspected and no charges pending.
“This appears purely accidental,” Glasscock wrote in the press release.
