BEAUMONT, Texas — One person is dead following a "tragic accident" at an indoor gun range near Lumberton, according to the Hardin County Sheriff's Office.
Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis tells 12News it happened on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. at the Lone Star Indoor Gun Range located at 4940 US 69.
As more information unfolds in the ongoing investigation, the sheriff's office is calling what happened an accident.
"Surveillance video from the business indicated he died as a result of a tragic accident while handling a firearm at the shooting range," a news release from the Hardin County Sheriff's Officer says.
It was initially reported that a person was injured in a shooting at the firing range, according to the sheriff's office. When EMS deputies arrived on the scene, they found a deceased 61-year-old man with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
Deputies say the man was the only person in the gun range at the time, and no other customers were injured.
An autopsy has been ordered, and his name will not be released until next of kin has been notified.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Full news release from Hardin County Sheriff's Office...
At approximately 2:30 PM this afternoon, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and Lumberton EMS responded to the Lonestar Gun Range located at 4940 US Highway 69 South in Lumberton, to investigate a report of a shooting victim.
Upon arrival, deputies and paramedics located a 61-year-old white male with a fatal gun shot wound to the chest. Surveillance video from the business indicated he died as a result of a tragic accident while handling a firearm at the shooting range.
He was alone at the time and no other customers were injured. Justice of the Peace precinct 5 Melissa Minton held an inquest at the scene and has ordered an autopsy. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
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