Guardsman accidentally kills self cleaning gun

Guardsman accidentally kills self cleaning gun
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 15, 2010 16:09:25 EST
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A Tennessee Guardsman has died in an accident the night before a ceremony to honor his unit's service in Iraq.

The Cleveland-based 252nd Military Police Company of the Tennessee Army National Guard served a 10-month combat tour without a single casualty. But on Saturday night, Spc. Joshua Meeks accidentally shot himself in the head while cleaning a new 9mm pistol.

"He loved the Army more than anything in the world," Spc. Mark Michaels told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Michaels, who served with Meeks and was also his brother-in-law, said he witnessed the accident. He and several other members of the unit were staying with the Meeks before the ceremony.

Marion County Sheriff Bo Burnett said deputies got a call at around 10:30 p.m. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the county medical examiner also responded.

"He was cleaning the gun at a table and evidently didn't know there was still one in the chamber," Burnett said.

The Sunday afternoon "Freedom Salute" ceremony in Cleveland went forward without Meeks. Many said they were shocked by the news of Meeks' death.

"I got the call at about 1 a.m.," 1st Sgt. Michael Plemons said. "I couldn't sleep, just thinking how would I tell everyone."
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