Man dies after accidental shooting in River Hills

RIVER HILLS (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned the individual taken to the hospital via Flight for Life following an accidental shooting that occurred on Tuesday evening, February 18th has died.

The victim in this case has been identified as 50-year-old John Gifford - who had been living in River Hills for the last five years.

River Hills police were notified just before 4:30 on Tuesday that Gifford had sustained a gunshot wound after he was apparently cleaning a gun, and then began "handling it in a careless manner," according to River Hills police.

River Hills police say Gifford placed one round in the gun, and "made a random and reckless statements about the weapon and its use."

This resulted in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Gifford was taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital, where he later died as a result of his injury.

The Medical Examiner's Office has ruled this death a suicide.