In an accident involving a mix-up of airsoft and real guns that resulted in the death of a teenager, a police officer won’t be facing charges. What makes the deadly accident so tragic is that the victim is the officer’s own son.

In a news report on WITN, Wilmington District Attorney Ben David announced that there will be charges will not be brought against a Jacksonville, N.C. police officer for fatal shooting of his teenage son.

The police officer in question, Detective John Clukey shot his son, Alexander, on December 27, 2021, when they were playing with airsoft guns a home.

Clukey arrived home after retrieving his service vehicle and revolver from work and he was met by his son. They went to play airsoft in their front yard as they got airsoft guns for Christmas --- two pistols and an AR-style airsoft gun. When they were playing, Clukey threw away his empty pistol and went for another one, but in this case, he pulls his service revolver and shot his son in the head.

Realizing his mistake, he immediately called 911 with the responders bringing his son to the Naval Trauma Center at Camp Lejeune before being transferred to Vidant Medical Center. He passed away on the 3rd of January. Clukey was placed on administrative leave while an investigation was conducted and it showed he mistakenly believed he was pointing an airsoft gun at his son while he had a real world service revolver holstered.

The Special Prosecutor believed that a conviction won’t be achieved if charges are brought forward. He also said that there is no evidence that the Clukey intended to kill his son and that it not illegal to have a consensual Airsoft game with a child. However, it is a crime to point a gun at someone “either in fun or otherwise, whether such a gun or pistol be loaded or not loaded.”

It is always advice especially for owners of both real and airsoft guns to take extra care in separating these since at first glance, they look similar. Mixing them together is always an accident waiting to happen. Precautions are always put into place such as color coding, e.g. orange tips, so that they a real gun can be distinguished from an airsoft one.

It is always best to leave real guns at home when going to an airsoft game and they are locked up and accounted for if playing airsoft in one’s home.

Hat tip to Airsoft Fury for sharing the link.