Man accidentally shoots wife dead while cleaning handgun

Police say death appears to be result of accidental discharge

Eric Rosenbrock, a seventh-grade science teacher, is believed to have accidentally killed his wife while working on a legally owned handgun at home (Rex Features)

A science teacher was working on his handgun when a bullet discharged, striking his wife.

Ashley Rosenbrock, 34, was rushed from her home in Albany to a hospital in nearby Saratoga Springs, New York, but she later died from her injuries.

The New York State Police autopsy concluded that the shooting in the small town of Corinth had occurred while Eric Rosenbrock, a 35-year-old middle school teacher was “performing maintenance” on a legally owned handgun.

The investigation is continuing, but police said the death appeared to be the result of an accidental discharge.

Neighbours watched the distraught father of three being led into a car shortly after the shooting.

“He looked like he was shaken very bad,” said Rita Mosher, 74. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through. He’s got to feel horrible. I’m more worried about the children.”

State troopers immediately swarmed the short residential street in the town about 50 miles north of Albany after the gun went off, neighbours said.

“The results of the autopsy are consistent with the information and evidence that has been discovered to this point in the investigation,” Major Robert E Patnaude of the New York State Police said in a statement over the weekend.

The couple was constructing an addition to their grey clapboard home in Corinth, a town of about 6,000 people nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains that prides itself on being the snowshoe capital of the world, so that each of their three young children — two girls and a boy — would have a bedroom, neighbours said.

Ashley Rosenbrock sold purses and children’s accessories from her home, a neighbour said. Eric Rosenbrock is a seventh-grade science teacher at the Lake George Central School District.

“A sudden loss like this can have a profound effect on family, friends, colleagues, parents and students,” the school district said in a statement. “It is important that we recognise this loss and support each other through this time. Our grief is great and our hearts and support go out to Mr Rosenbrock’s family,”

Ms Mosher said she saw Mr Rosenbrock arrive home from work earlier than usual on Thursday as a snowstorm was blanketing the region.

She said she did not hear the gunshot, but she went outside after hearing police at about 10:30pm. She said she saw Ashley Rosenbrock being taken out in a stretcher.

Unintentional firearm deaths are relatively rare in the United States, but they often involve handguns and take place in households, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Firearm groups recommend keeping guns unloaded when not in use and pointing the muzzle in a safe direction.

The Rosenbrocks were familiar with tragedy: Their 15-month-old daughter, Vivienne, died from a sudden onset of sepsis pneumonia five years ago.

“Vivienne ran from room to room with her heart-stealing grin with the big gap between her two brand-new front teeth,” the toddler’s obituary said. “She gave a hug that felt like she was giving all she had. She stole every heart she touched.”

In a Facebook post that went viral, Ashley Rosenbrock called on strangers to carry out random acts of kindness in memory of her daughter on the anniversary of her death.

“It was just a way for me to say, ‘Don’t focus on what’s missing. Live your life to the fullest,'” she told The Post-Star in 2014.

Inspired by the outpouring of support, the family created a Facebook page that they used to organise fundraisers and charity runs.

The New York Times