Man Blows His Brains Out During Gun Safety Class — On Purpose

Bellevue, Washington, man Brian J. Parry, 50, seems to have taken advantage of a local gun safety class, intended to introduce people to the safe use of handguns, and used the opportunity to kill himself.

The entry-level handgun class called “Right on Target,” was held on March 10, 2013, at the West Coast Armory. Participants, which included men, women and children, paid $75 each for the three-hour course, which is intended to teach the basics of gun safety, loading and shooting. It is offered on Thursday and Sunday nights. That night there were more than 12 students; all were provided guns and ammunition for the class.

According to one witness, during the shooting practice part of the class, Parry put the gun to his own head in front of the other participants and pulled the trigger. The witness, who said that Parry had looked lonely and “deflated,” added that “anytime someone is standing there with a gun pointed at his head, there’s nothing anyone could have done to stop him from shooting himself.”

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined earlier this week that Parry had died of a contact gunshot wound to the head, and ruled the death a suicide. Police have confirmed that the act was premeditated. The investigation continues. It is unknown at this time what Parry’s motives for suicide could have been.

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