Soldier Eric Autio taught his wife how to shoot a semi-automatic

[RaVen Blackehart]

OLYMPIA -- A Fort Lewis soldier died instantly early Sunday when his wife accidentally shot him in the head as he was teaching her how to handle a handgun.

Deputies were called to the scene, in the 4300 block of Quail Run Loop Northeast in Olympia, at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, said Lt. Chris Mealy of the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.

Mealy said the soldier and his wife, both 25, had been out with friends having a good time, possibly celebrating an upcoming deployment for the soldier. They were drinking, but it is not known if they were drunk.

After the couple got home, the soldier decided to teach his wife how to handle a semi-automatic handgun, Mealy said.

While the wife was holding the gun, she accidentally discharged the firearm. A single shot struck the husband in the head, and he died instantly.

The couple had just moved to Washington four days ago from out of state. Next of kin have not been notified, and the names of the couple are not being released.

The incident remains under investigation but authorities believe the fatal shooting was an accident. The soldier's wife is not under arrest.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/405076_shot12.html?source=rss

[~Absynthe~]

moral to the story don't teach your wife how to handle a gun send her to a gun control class.and don't handle a gun while intoxicated.

[runecire]

So very sad. Cannot even comprehend what she must be feeling.

People...Drugs Alcohol Firearms ...these do not belong in the same sentence. Be smart, put away the firearms if the others are being used.

[Peeperann]

I cannot imagine her horror as she realized what had happened. To kill a loved one by accident, how do you get over that? In my experience, having had it happen in my own family, you don't.

And yes, alcohol, drugs, firearms? Which of these does not belong in the same group?

[Unamused Cat]

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/34195168

FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- A Fort Lewis, Wash., woman fatally shot her husband as he was teaching her how to use a gun, Thurston County sheriff's officials say.

Eric J. Autio, 25, a soldier at Fort Lewis, died instantly Sunday when his wife shot him in the head with a semi-automatic handgun, said sheriff's Lt. Chris Mealy. The shooting was believed to be accidental, Mealy said.

The couple, who had just moved from the Midwest four days earlier, had been out with friends drinking, Mealy told KOMO-TV in Seattle. When the couple returned home, Autio decided to teach his wife how to handle a weapon, Mealy said.

The wife, age 25, whose name was not released, was placed under Army medical care Sunday, Mealy said.

http://www.bendweekly.com/index.php?news=17393

[RaVen Blackehart]

I posted that in Strange but True because as of right now it is considered an accident.

http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17306

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Well dang! I just merged them into this one because it had a title with name - wasn't available this morning.

[Athena]

http://i44.tinypic.com/2w72wkp.jpg

This is not Eric. It's my good friend, Casey, who was at my house Saturday night with his wife, Vic. He is the person who called Mike and I Sunday morning to give us the terrible, terrible news.

Guys, as much as I hate to ask for special treatment, I'd appreciate it if you were tame with this one, as this young man was very, VERY close to my heart (http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/blog.php?b=692). Eric, his wife Jackie, Casey, Victoria, Mike and I have been close for several years, now, and Eric's loss is an unimaginably tough blow. He and Jackie were supposed to be at my house that night.

Oh, and they didn't move from the midwest. Jack (the wife) had been living in West Seattle and Eric had been stationed at Ft. Lewis. Just goes to show you that the news reports can be a bit off.

[Athena]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g168/azulevic/Eric-1.jpg

Casey on the left and Eric on the right. Eric had gone to visit them while they were still in Wyoming.

Eric, an "Army brat", is as familiar with guns as anyone his age possibly could be. Looking at his fourth deployment overseas, he was gearing up for Special Forces training just as soon as he qualified. This young man taught ME how to handle a firearm, as well as numerous friends of mine. This was a tragic accident that should illustrate that there is such a thing as getting too comfortable.

[Courtney]

Athena,

First off, I read your blog and I am so sorry to hear about this.

Have you talked to his wife yet? How is she doing?

[Athena]

Athena,

First off, I read your blog and I am so sorry to hear about this.

Have you talked to his wife yet? How is she doing?

Thanks. No, I haven't spoken to Jackie, yet. Unfortunately, Jackie is the one in the group I was the least close to, so I'm unlikely to have direct contact with her except at the funeral, assuming it is to be here (his family lives in Kansas). All the information I'm getting is coming from Casey and Victoria. I'm not sure that either one of them has spoken with her directly, at this point, either.

I do know that Jackie is undoubtedly beside herself with grief. They were just recently married, had just moved into this place together. They had been together, on an off, for as long as we have known them (6 years, now) and loved each other terribly. I can't even begin to understand what she must be going through.

[Unamused Cat]

I'm sorry for your loss Athena. I have removed the photo.