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A Rice Consolidated High School student died Friday evening, April 11, in an accidental shooting at his home in Eagle Lake.
Josiah Cobia, 18, was shot accidentally after a gun in the possession of his younger brother, who has not been identified due to being a minor, was discharged around 5 p.m. that night, leading to Cobia succumbing to his wounds, according to Eagle Lake Police Chief Donald T. Chaney.
The shooting was an accidental discharge that occurred in the brothers’ bedroom of the home located on 670 Donovan St. in Eagle Lake. The firearm was discharged while the younger brother was showing the gun to Cobia.
Chaney says the shooting was completely accidental, according to witness testimony from the family, and that there will most likely be no charges given out for Cobia’s death. He does note, however, that there will most likely be an investigation into how the brothers got hold of the gun, as the mother of the boys was unaware that the firearm was in their possession.
“It was an accident, and accidents happen,” said Chaney. “You have kids that get a hold of guns and unfortunately neither of them had any business with it, but that’s something we’re going to look into, as far as a different investigation of how they got a hold of it.”
At this time, details are unclear as to whether the gun fell and accidentally went off or was discharged in a different fashion. More details to come as the investigation into Cobia’s death and how the gun was in the possession of his brother progresses.
