Port St. Lucie woman dies in apparent accidental shooting at home when derringer discharges

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 35-year-old woman died after an apparent accidental shooting Sunday at a home on Shelter Drive, according to Port St. Lucie police and St. Lucie County Fire District officials on Monday.

Elizabeth Moorehead died following the incident in the 2100 block of Southeast Shelter Drive, said Officer Tom Nichols, police spokesman.

Fire District crews about 5:45 p.m. Sunday went to the home, and took the woman to a local hospital in critical condition, Fire District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney said.

Nichols said Moorehead died.

Nichols said Moorehead's husband was going out, and didn't want to take his .38 caliber derringer with him. He gave the derringer to his wife. The gun was in a blue reusable canvas shopping bag. Moorehead came in the home with the bag and was in the kitchen with her daughter.

Moorehead had her back to her daughter and as she looked for the derringer in the bag, the gun "was accidentally discharged," Nichols said.

The bullet struck Moorehead in the mid chest area.

Nichols said the incident appears to be an accidental shooting, but the investigation is continuing.

No other information was immediately available Monday.