CHICAGO (CBS) – A Washington Heights thrift store employee died Friday after a small gun hidden in discarded clothing accidentally went off and fatally wounded her.
The victim, 54, had been sorting through castoff clothing with a male co-worker at Unique Thrift Store in the 9300 block of South Ashland Avenue about 9:45 a.m.
When the male co-worker discovered a sock with something inside, he emptied the sock and a .22-caliber handgun fell into his hand, police said. The weapon accidentally discharged and struck the victim in the chest, police said. She later died at Christ Hospital.
A woman was fatally shot in an apparent accident at this thrift store in the 9300 block of South Ashland. (CBS)
Police say the incident appears to be a tragic accident.
The victim is identified as Maria Carmen Dominguez. Her husband, Victor Campos, spoke with CBS 2’s Courtney Gousman at the scene, saying the couple has a 17-year-old daughter.
“I think they should have been more careful,” he said. “Because they take all kinds of stuff.”
