A gathering of friends in a subdivision in Imperial, Missouri, ended in a fatal shooting on March 22, 2014, when 43-year-old David Utz died of a single gunshot wound to the chest inside his home. That night Utz, his wife Jessica, and friends were handling firearms; David loaded one of the guns and, while his wife was out of the room, she later picked it up unaware it was loaded and the weapon discharged, striking him.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department responded and described the event as a tragic accident, saying they did not believe there was intent to harm while continuing to investigate whether negligence was involved. The sheriff’s office prepared to forward its report to the Jefferson County prosecutor for a charging decision, but no public update on the prosecutor’s final decision has been reported.

Neighbors recalled the couple as happy and said David was a kind, helpful member of the community. Does anyone have additional information about what followed the prosecutor’s review or about the circumstances that night?