A Graham County man is dead after he was shot while wearing a ballistic vest, officials say.
Sheriff’s officials report that first responders were called to a shooting along a river area in Central, Arizona, on Monday evening.
A man, later identified as 25-year-old Parker Ray Lynch, was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Medical aid was given at the scene and he was taken to the hospital where he died during surgery.
According to the investigation, Parker and two acquaintances were reportedly shooting at a ballistic vest with ballistic plates that belonged to Parker. At one point, it appears Parker put on the vest with the plate and had one of the men shoot the vest while it was being worn.
Officials say the single round from a .223 single-shot rifle went through the vest and plate, hitting Parker.
The man who shot the gun, Steven R. Watson, was booked into jail on a manslaughter charge.
