Newtown Man Charged In Fatal Accidental Shooting Of Friend

A Newtown man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault after authorities say he accidentally shot and killed his friend, a Bucks County constable, during an episode of "horseplay" last weekend in Berks County, authorities said.

Daniel Brymer, 21, and Daniel J. Smith, 31, also of Bucks County, were helping a friend move out of an apartment on Saturday, March 31 in Muhlenberg Township.

According to court documents obtained by the Reading Eagle, the men had been fooling around with an airsoft gun as they helped their friend pack. Smith shot Brymer twice with the airsoft gun, then gave him the non-lethal gun, which Brymer tucked into a front pocket near a real handgun, a 9 mm that Smith had previously given to him.

Shortly after, while the men were outside on the lawn, Brymer mistakenly took out the real handgun instead of the the air gun and shot it at Smith, the court documents said.

Responding officers reported Smith was hysterical and crying when they arrived, saying "I shot him in the back," according to WFMZ.

Smith was transported to Reading Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Brymer was charged the next day with aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter. He was released on $100,000 bail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for April 23, court documents show.

According to his obituary, Smith was a Trumbauersville Borough resident and full-time paramedic with Plymouth Ambulance Association. He was also a Bucks County constable. Services were held Saturday, according to his obituary.

Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams called it a "tragic accident" and a "senseless use of a firearm in a reckless manner."

Image Daniel Brymer mugshot