Cypress father of triplets killed in shooting range tragedy
CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) -- As deputies gathered details at Hot Wells Shooting Range, employees reacted to news of 36-year-old Joshua Cummings' death.
"Just a terrible tragedy," Hot Wells employee Stacy Byrd said.
According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, it all started when an employee was working on a hunting rifle. It went off in what they're calling an accidental discharge.
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"The bullet went through the wall of the small range house and struck a patron who was walking through the parking lot," explained Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland.
Life Flight was called and Cummings was taken to Memorial Hermann Downtown, but he didn't make it. In a statement, Hot Wells said:
"We simply do not have the words to express the sorrow in our hearts. For 44 years we have operated this facility accident free, yet today we are shaken by tragedy. There is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances that surround this accident, and until that investigation is complete we will have no comment on the accident details. We understand that this accident has, and will continue to affect the lives of many. We ask that our community joins us in prayer for the healing of all parties involved."
Homicide detectives were interviewing all the employees and trying to determine if human error or a gun malfunction took Cummings' life. Regardless, it's a sad scene that will always stick with Byrd.
"I didn't really want to see that this morning," Byrd said. "I really didn't want to see that at all, ever."
Cummings was employed by CenterPoint Energy.
Company spokesperson Alicia Dixon issued the following statement: "Well-known for his kindness and intelligence, Josh Cummings was an employee at CenterPoint Energy and held many roles in both Electric and Natural Gas Operations in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. He was a respected colleague and friend to many at CenterPoint Energy. Josh will be deeply missed."
He leaves behind his wife Kathleen and three children, who are triplets.
A YouCaring page has been set up to raise funds for Cummings' funeral expenses.
