A PV2 assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 22 March 2020 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 1711 local. A Private First Class was showing his newly purchased shotgun to two other Soldiers when one of them pushed the weapon away. A round was accidently discharged, striking the PV2 in the head. Emergency medical services personnel transported the injured Soldier to a local medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Alcohol use is not a suspected causal factor. The mishap is under investigation.
Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the third fatal off-duty POW mishap of FY20. Proper POW safety and handling is non-negotiable. Whether you’re at the range, hunting, cleaning, transporting or showing your gun to friends, every weapon must be treated as if it is loaded.