By Joel Phelps
The Arkadelphian

An Arkadelphia man died Sunday after an accidental shooting at his residence.

The victim was 68-year-old David Allan Smith, who succumbed to a gunshot wound Sunday morning at the Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia emergency room. Authorities are treating the shooting as an accident.

According to a report filed at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Smith’s wife dialed 911 at about 9:05 a.m. to report her husband had been accidentally shot in the chest. Paramedics and deputies responded to the Smith residence off of Central Road, where they observed the husband lying on the floor, conscious and speaking to his wife as well as the medics administering care.

After placing the call, Smith’s wife Nancy explained to the 911 dispatcher that she dropped the loaded handgun as she was handing it to her husband, causing the gun to fire and strike him in the chest.

Smith was transported by ambulance to BHMC-A. The responding deputy, as well as Sgt. Rick Loy, criminal investigator, secured the scene and photographed the handgun. The pistol, ammunition and a spent shell casing that was in the chamber were collected as evidence.

Police then traveled to the emergency room, and a short time later hospital staff informed them Smith had been pronounced dead.

Sheriff Jason Watson said Monday morning that his office is treating the shooting as an accident, and offered condolences to the family. “I just want to say it was a tragic accident and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. David was always willing to help me in difficult times and I will truly miss him.”