GREENWOOD, Miss.—An accidental shooting took the life of Charlie Lee Dunn, 58, owner and operator of Leflore Tire Service Inc. in Greenwood. Kit Colvin, Mr. Dunn's nephew, said the incident occurred May 12 at the dealership when Mr. Dunn was removing a shotgun from his truck before going to the bank.
Both Mr. Colvin and police believe the gun's trigger was caught on a bungee cord. When Mr. Dunn lifted it from behind the seat, it discharged, fatally wounding him in the chest.
Mr. Colvin said Mr. Dunn died within a few minutes, surrounded by employees and family members. He was taken to Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mr. Dunn, who operated Leflore Tire for 30 years, worked there five years before buying it when the previous owner retired.
Mr. Colvin said his uncle was commissioner and a coach in the local Little League program and enjoyed coaching children and giving them jobs at the dealership.
``I used to come up here during the summer from Hammond, La., where I lived, to play baseball and work at the business,'' Mr. Colvin said. He began working at Leflore Tire when he was about nine and has been a manager the last three years. He said the family will continue the business and he hopes eventually to buy it.
Mr. Dunn's wife, Linda, said she has received calls and notes from all over the state from former ball players and customers.
He also is survived by a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.