A teenager was killed this morning when a rifle accidentally went off at a get-together in Spotsylvania County, authorities say.
Date published: 3/17/2007
A teenager was killed this morning when a rifle accidentally went off at a get-together in Spotsylvania County, authorities say.
Anthony Brian Ballard, 19, was among a group of people gathered at 10125 Renee Korie Lane early this morning, said Spotsylvania Sheriff Howard Smith. The group had been smoking marijuana and drinking.
Donny Ray Harris, an 18-year-old Spotsylvania resident, was playing with a .30-30 rifle and passing it around the table when the gun went off, Smith said.
The bullet hit Ballard in the head, killing him. The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene about 3:30 a.m.
Four people at the trailer told detectives that they had been smoking marijuana and drinking, Smith said. The shooting has been deemed accidental.
Harris was charged with manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm, Smith said. He was being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Detectives confiscated marijuana and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun from the trailer, Smith said. The homeowner, who is not Harris, is likely to be charged with possessing an illegal shotgun. Marijuana charges are also possible.
-Bill Freehling, The Free Lance-Star
) It could have been right there in the open too. Remember... this group ws not thinking all that great.. 
