An Ohio woman, Kathleen Geiger, 77, was taken into custody for fatally shooting a man named Arthur Osborne, 58, after he jokingly asked her to shoot him during what was described as harmless banter. The incident took place in Cincinnati on Sunday evening, and Geiger has been charged with reckless homicide.
According to Cincinnati Police, officers arrived at the scene on East Tower Drive following the shooting. Osborne was tragically pronounced dead on site after Geiger shot him in the pelvic region. Court documents revealed that Geiger believed her firearm was not loaded when she pointed it at Osborne and pulled the trigger, resulting in the fatal shot to his groin area.
During her interaction with law enforcement, Geiger explained that she and Osborne were engaged in friendly banter when he made the request for her to shoot him. However, prosecutors emphasized during her arraignment that her assumption about the gun not being loaded was not a valid excuse for her actions. It was stated that anyone in possession of a firearm has a responsibility to handle it with care, never pointing it at anything unless the intention is to destroy it.
Despite the unfortunate outcome, Geiger did provide medical assistance to Osborne following the shooting and promptly called 911 for help. She was subsequently granted a bond of $10,000, and her case will be presented to a grand jury for further consideration. The next court appearance for Geiger is scheduled for October 31st.
It is crucial to remember the importance of firearm safety and responsible gun ownership. Tragic incidents like this serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of mishandling firearms, even in seemingly lighthearted situations. Geiger’s case highlights the need for caution and vigilance when dealing with firearms to prevent such devastating outcomes in the future.