A man inadvertently shot and killed his wife while cleaning his firearm before turning the weapon on himself, resulting in his own death, police confirmed.
In a shocking turn of events, Simeon Hendrickson, a 61-year-old Bolingbrook, Illinois resident, was reportedly cleaning his handgun at home around 5:45 pm on Saturday, July 15. During the cleaning process, the gun accidentally fired, fatally wounding his wife, 60-year-old Laurie Hendrickson, as per the Bolingbrook Police Department.
The incident escalated when, upon understanding the gravity of his unintended actions, Simeon Hendrickson used the same firearm to commit suicide. Responding officers, who had received an initial report of a man accidentally shooting himself, found Simeon deceased at the scene. At the time of their arrival, they learned that two shots had been fired and Laurie Hendrickson had been critically wounded.
Laurie Hendrickson was immediately rushed to a local hospital following the incident. However, despite the best medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. The unfortunate double fatality has left the couple’s son, Derek Hendrickson, and other close relatives grappling with the sudden loss. In a moving Facebook post, Derek Hendrickson paid tribute to his parents, recounting their love, respect, and remarkable parenthood.
Simeon Hendrickson, known for his firearm proficiency, had a reputation for teaching concealed carry classes in suburban Chicago, according to his Facebook posts.
With the Pew Research Center reporting 549 accidental gun deaths in the US in 2021, this incident underscores the critical need for increased firearm safety and awareness.
