Police Chief and Club Indicted with Others in Gun Show Death of Eight-Year-Old

There are now formal criminal charges in the death of 8-year-old Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Connecticut. Christopher shot himself in the head while firing an Uzi submachine gun at a gun fair. Now charged are Pelham Police Chief Edward Fleury owns the COP Firearms & Training, which sponsored the gun show last month. Also charged were the Westfield Sportsman’s Club and two other men for involuntary manslaughter charges.

The accident occurred when the Uzi it recoiled while the boy was firing at a pumpkin.

The Club had advertised the event as: “It’s all legal & fun — No permits or licenses required!!!! You will be accompanied to the firing line with a Certified Instructor to guide you. But You Are In Control — ‘FULL AUTO ROCK & ROLL.'”

For the family, criminal charges may be all of the relief that they can expect since the father Charles Bizilj participated in the event and was himself contributorily negligent. It is still possible, however, that a civil lawsuit could succeed, particularly by the mother.

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