In what police are calling a tragic accident, Richard Jacobson of Casco was shot in the back and then died in the arms of one of his two young sons.

Jacobson, known as “Jake” to his friends, went out to Rattlesnake Mountain for some target shooting Saturday afternoon. People who are familiar with the incident say he was with his sons, ages 9 and 12, though state police spokesman Steve McCausland would not identify who was with Jacobson.

“In my opinion, it would compound a tragedy,” McCausland said.

Police and the state medical examiner said Jacobson was shot in the back when a .22-caliber rifle fired in the hands of a young boy.

One boy ran to a nearby house and called 911. The Cumberland County Regional Communications Center then contacted Jacobson on his cell phone, McCausland said, but Jacobson died at the scene.

Detectives thoroughly investigated the case and consulted with representatives of the Attorney General’s Office, as is standard in all unattended deaths. Police determined that the shooting was accidental.
An obituary prepared for Jacobson describes Rattlesnake Mountain, not far from his home on Coffee Pond, as one of his favorite spots. It also said he and his sons enjoyed all things outdoors: fishing, hiking, boating, riding motorcycles and playing a variety of sports.

“He was a great father who loved his kids and was a devoted parent,” the obituary read. The boys’ mother lives in Windham.

Jacobson grew up in Westbrook and was an accomplished athlete in football, swimming, track and basketball.

After he graduated from Westbrook High School in 1982, he apprenticed in the building trades, became a master carpenter and started his own construction business, R.J. Builders and Sons.

A Christian Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Windham, 919 Roosevelt Trail, at 10 a.m. on Friday. Burial will follow at 12 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, in South Portland. There will be a celebration of his life from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday at Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco, followed by, weather permitting, a visit to Hacker’s Hill cross, which Jacobson called “the God Place” and brought his family.