US father kills young son in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON – An American man getting into his truck while holding a gun accidentally shot and killed his seven-year-old son Saturday, police said.

The tragedy occurred in East Lackawannock Township, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

The father was identified as Joseph Loughrey, 44, and his son, who was shot in the chest, was named Craig, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police.

The father and son were getting back into their truck after visiting a gun store called Twigs Reloading Den.

Loughrey told police he had emptied the magazine of his handgun but did not realize there was still a bullet in the chamber, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.