Firing-Range Death Is Ruled Accidental

BELLEVUE - A fatal shooting at a Bellevue firing range April 21 has been ruled an excusable homicide by the King County Prosecutor's Office. No charges will be filed.

Bellevue Police Lt. Bill Ferguson said evidence and statements from others at Wade's Eastside Gun Shop indicate the shot that hit Michael Chumney, 24, of Redmond was an accident. The gun was fired by a 30-year-old Kirkland woman.

The woman was shooting at the range with a powerful .44-caliber revolver when the recoil caused the gun to raise into the air. When a second round was fired, the recoil pushed the woman's arms back over her shoulder and a third shot, probably a reflex from the recoil, hit Chumney, who was standing behind her.