Man dies of accidental gunshot outside Savannah gun store

A local man is dead after accidentally shooting himself outside a gun store Tuesday afternoon, according to Savannah police.

The victim was identified as Lawrence Smith, 86, of Savannah.

Police Chief Michael Pitts said officers responding to a report of a possible gunshot wound found Smith was in the front seat of his vehicle and had been shot in the left upper leg.

Officers applied tourniquets and rendered aid to Smith, who was transported by ambulance to Hardin Medical Center where he died of the injury, he said.

The shooting occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the Surematch Firearms parking lot at 1325 Florence Road.

“This is a tragic situation, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Smith. No foul play is suspected and the incident has been ruled as accidental,” Pitts said.