John Koziol, a 67-year-old man from Greece, New York, died on Saturday, November 7, 2020, after being struck by a projectile at the Genesee Conservation League’s indoor range on Old Penfield Road in Penfield. Koziol was a longtime, respected member of the club and was serving as a certified range safety officer during a United States Practical Shooting Association competition that morning.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a competitor dropped a loaded firearm while attempting to holster it; the impact with the floor caused the weapon to discharge and the projectile struck Koziol. Emergency medical services responded around 9:30 a.m., but Koziol was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office investigated and concluded the shooting was an accident; no criminal charges were filed and the club temporarily closed the range for investigation.