Maine State Police have concluded that the shooting death of Richard Jacobson of Casco on Saturday was accidental.
State Police are still conducting ballistics tests on the weapon. Police would not say whether or not the person who was holding the gun when it discharged was one of Jacobson’s sons.
“In many of these cases we release identities,” said State Police spokesman Steve McCausland. “I don’t want to compound this tragedy by doing that in this case.”
Jacobson’s two sons are staying with family members.
11:10 a.m.
An autopsy by the state Medical Examiner showed that 47-year-old Richard Jacobson of Casco died as a result of a gunshot wound to the back.
Jacobson was shot when a gun in the hands of a young boy discharged. Police have said it may have been an accident and have described the incident as exceptionally tragic, but held off releasing details about the case. They plan to release more later today.
The manner of death was termed homicide, which means that one person died as a result of the actions of another. It does not imply any criminal wrongdoing, authorities said.
Police have said that a .22-caliber rifle discharged while in the hands of a young boy. Police did not identify the boy.
Jacobson, 47, father of two young sons, died Saturday on Rattlesnake Mountain, which is located on the opposite side of Coffee Pond from his home.
Friends have said that Jacobson was planning to go target shooting and had been with one of his two young sons earlier in the day, though it was not clear whether he planned to have one or both of his sons accompany him.
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