Police: Butler County man, 21, likely died of accidental gunshot

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — State police said a Butler County man has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that appears to be accidental.

Investigators said the shooting happened at a home on Pine Tract Road in Center Township. State police identified the victim as 21-year-old Matthew Hughes.

Police said the Center Township man suffered the fatal wound from a revolver in his stomach about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police haven't said what Hughes was doing at the time or why they suspect he shot himself accidentally. Authorities did say three of Hughes’ friends were inside the house at the time of the accident, but they weren’t in the same room.

“He was handling it and it went off,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Dan Kesten said.

Channel 11’s Amy Marcinkiewicz reported that police think Hughes, who attended CCAC, bought the gun on Monday.

“We know he bought a gun. We don’t know for sure if it’s the same one, but we believe so,” Kesten said. “You need to know your weapon. You need to make sure there are no bullets in the chamber and to keep the barrel away from you.”

WPXI