Candace Chrzan, a senior at Jonesboro High School in Georgia was accidentally shot and killed during target practice in the backyard of her friend’s home. 

“At some point, Candace did have possession of a .22 pistol that they were using for target practicing,” the  Sheriff’s Office later announced. “The gun jammed.” The Sheriffs’ Office added that “Chrzan then handed the weapon to her friend to clear the jam. As the other teen, also a 17-year-old, was receiving it, the gun went off and hit Chrzan in the head, ultimately resulting in her death.”

The investigating sheriff’s office referred to the 17-year old’s death as a horrific tragedy. “It was just a couple of friends out in the backyard, from what we were told, possibly doing target practice with a pistol,” said a spokesperson for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. “The kids obviously haven’t been taught maybe the gun safety that they should have been. And ultimately it resulted in Candace’s death.”

“Everywhere Candace went, that smile with those dimples were on her face,” said  a family friend. “We don’t believe that guns kill people. We believe people kill people and whether there was foul play involved or not in this situation, that gun ended up in the hands of a minor who should not have had possession of that weapon. Somebody out there has to take responsibility and accountability for that,” that friend added.

The boy who was holding the gun when it went off later turned himself in.  He was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and possession of a firearm under the age of 18.

“When investigators arrived on-scene, he was physically and visibly distraught and upset,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “He did try to render aid to her unsuccessfully. So, his life is changed forever because he took another life, and he’ll never be able to take that back.”

“Candace was a black belt in martial arts and Candace was also very trained in gun safety,” a family friend told reporters. “Her grandfather, being a very protective grandfather, has taught Candace how to take care of herself in any means necessary. So that’s why some of the story of the gun jamming is really not making sense.”

It is hard to understand why experienced gunowners cannot accept that gun accidents are sometimes caused by gun malfunctions. Sadly, under the  federal Protection from Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA”),  a conviction of Candace’s teenage friend, if any, may preclude a successful consumer product safety claim against the gun manufacturer, even if the gun failed due to a well-known safety defect.

Sources:

Mark Osborne, “Georgia High School Senior Fatally Shot by Friend During Target Practice,”  ABC News (April 2, 2021).

Paula Sura, “’The Grandfather Will Not Rest Easy Until Justice is Served’: Friends Mourn after Teen Shot, Killed,” 11 Alive (April 2, 2021).

Paula Sura, “’Candace’s Family has a Permanent Loss. That Young Man’s Family has a Temporary Separation.’”  11 Alive (April 3, 2021).