John D. Chelig, aged 41, passed away on February 18, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to his obituary, John was a beloved son, brother, and uncle, remembered fondly by his family and friends. However, the circumstances surrounding his death were tragic and involved a criminal investigation.
On the night of his death, John Chelig was with his best friend, Benjamin Masch. The two were playing video games and drinking beer in the basement of a home on S. 53rd St. near Howard Ave.
They were also handling a. 45 caliber handgun throughout the night. According to the criminal complaint, Masch had loaded and unloaded the gun at different points during the evening.
The situation escalated when Masch went upstairs to use the restroom and returned to find Chelig holding the handgun. Chelig was reportedly pointing the gun at Masch, the television, and waving it around. Masch, believing the gun to be unloaded, attempted to grab it from Chelig. During a playful scuffle, Masch managed to get hold of the gun and, thinking it was unloaded, put it to Chelig's head and pulled the trigger. To his shock, the gun fired, and Chelig was fatally wounded.
Initially, Masch placed the gun in Chelig's hand and called 911, claiming that Chelig had shot himself. However, he later admitted to the police that he was the one who pulled the trigger. Masch was charged with reckless homicide and faced up to 65 years in prison if convicted. The case highlighted the dangers of handling firearms under the influence of alcohol and the tragic consequences that can result from such actions.
The legal proceedings following Chelig's death involved Masch pleading not guilty to the charges. The case drew attention to issues of gun safety and the responsibilities of gun owners, especially in situations involving alcohol consumption. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the potential for devastating outcomes when these responsibilities are neglected.
