Officials: Woman killed after father accidentally fires gun while loading it inside car

Published 2:36 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

A tragic accident claimed the life of an Alabama woman on Monday after her father accidentally discharged a firearm in a vehicle.

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office reports that on November 18, Rickey Smith unintentionally fired his gun while loading it into a car occupied by his daughter, Emily Roney, and her husband, Martin Roney. The discharged bullet struck Emily, who later succumbed to her injuries.

Newly obtained 911 transcripts shed light on the chaotic moments following the incident. Fox10 News in Mobile reports that the first call to emergency services included a distraught voice explaining, “Oh, we were…we were uh loading up a gun and it went off by accident.” A second caller then confirmed, “He said he accidentally shot his daughter.”

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Smith has not been arrested, but a grand jury will convene to determine whether charges will be filed. The 911 transcripts are expected to be part of the evidence presented during the proceedings.