On December 17, 2022, a tragedy unfolded at a residence on Strausser Road in Greene County, Indiana, involving a firearm incident that claimed the life of 21-year-old male Bryar Laws. The events transpired around 1:30 p.m. while a 16-year-old acquaintance was handling a semi-automatic handgun. Reports indicate the teenager was in the process of unloading the weapon for the purpose of cleaning it when the firearm unintentionally discharged a single round.
The bullet struck Laws, creating a frantic emergency situation at the home as first responders from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Center Fire Department, and Greene County EMS rushed to the scene.
Emergency personnel provided immediate aid and transported the injured man to IU Health Bloomington Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Despite the efforts of the medical staff to save him, Laws succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital. He was known in his community as an apprentice electrician employed at Wilkinson Electric in Bedford, Indiana, and his sudden death resonated deeply within the local area.
Detectives from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the weapon. The inquiry focused on the actions of the 16-year-old who had been handling the gun. Authorities initially classified the shooting as accidental, noting that there was no immediate indication of foul play or intent to harm. At the time of the incident, no arrests were made, and law enforcement officials did not immediately file charges against the juvenile involved, though the case remained under review to ensure a complete understanding of the events that led to the fatal discharge.
