Man Killed In Accidental Shooting At Cypress Gun Range

CYPRESS, TX — An employee at Hot Wells Shooting Range in Cypress accidentally shot and killed a Cypress man Tuesday morning while the employee was working on a hunting rifle, investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.

The shooting happened at about 9 a.m., in the parking lot of the Hot Wells Shooting Range, located on U.S. 290 East near Barker Cypress Road.

Investigators said the employee was working on the rifle inside a range house, when the weapon went off, KPRC reported.

The bullet travled through a wall in the shed and about 80 feet across the parking lot, hitting the 36-year old Joshua Luke Cummings in the head as he was gettng out of his car.

Cummings was taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, and died a short time later.

Sheiff's investigators are looking at the weapon to determine if there was a malfunction, or if the weapon went off because of human error.

Representatives fro Hot Wells Shooting Range issued the following statement:

"We apologize in advance for the brevity of this response. We simply do not have the words to express the sorrow in our hearts. For 44 years we have operated this facility accident free, yet today we are shaken by tragedy.
There is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances that surround this accident, and until that investigation is complete we will have no comment on the accident details.
We understand that this accident has, and will continue to affect the lives of many. We ask that our community joins us in prayer for the healing of all parties involved."

Charges have not been filed in the case.

Image: Austin lobbyist Michelle Wittenburg, right, takes aim on a shooting range during a class run by Mike Cox near Wimberely, Texas, for people seeking a concealed handgun license. (AP Photo/Jay Root)

Send your news tips to bryan.kirk@patch.com