The child shot himself on Nov. 26, 2010, with his father's service weapon, which was kept in a closet near candy.
The nonjury trial was continuing for a Pittsburgh-area police officer charged with involuntary manslaughter and various endangerment charges after his 5-year-old son fatally shot himself with the officer’s duty weapon — which was kept in a closet near candy.
John Thompson’s son, Gavin, shot himself on Nov. 26, 2010, at their home in Liberty Borough. At the time, Thompson, 39, was a part-time police officer in that borough and full-time in Port Vue, another tiny Pittsburgh suburb, but is now on unpaid leave.
Thompson’s attorney, Anthony DeLuca, tells Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning the officer is devastated financially and emotionally and that Thompson will lose his livelihood if he’s convicted of a felony.
DeLuca says Thompson worked two police jobs so his wife could remain home with their five children and “doesn’t need any other punishment.”