A new father is dead after what appeared to be a bizarre, accidental shooting Tuesday night.
Steven Justin Ayers, 33, and his wife had gathered family members to celebrate the homecoming of their 3-day-old baby — born on Father’s Day. But the celebration at 2502 Michigan Court ended shortly after 6 p.m. when a stray bullet entered the home from more than 200 feet away, struck Ayers in the back of the head and killed him instantly.
Moments earlier, Charles Edward Shisler, 62, had picked up a loaded 9mm pistol in his residence, adjacent to the Ayers’ home, and the gun discharged. Shisler was in his backyard at
Shisler was initially uncooperative with deputies and “extremely belligerent,” according to arrest reports. While in custody, waiving his right to remain silent, Shisler told officers the shooting was accidental.
“The damn gun doesn’t usually shoot,” Shisler’s arrest report quoted him as saying. “You have to squeeze the hell out of the trigger to shoot it.”
Shisler told deputies he tried to pick up the gun by its trigger, but it fired a hole through his window screen. He later told deputies he hid the gun under his mattress. A blood test taken more than four hours after the incident showed Shisler had a blood alcohol content of 0.079, deputies reported.
A bullet hole was found in the Ayers’ rear sliding glass door and led officers to Shisler’s home, where the shot was allegedly fired, BCSO said.
‘One-in-infinity’ odds
Investigators Wednesday morning were processing the trajectory of the bullet, which traveled more than 200 feet — through Shisler’s window screen, about 60 feet of medium-density woods, the Ayers’ back porch glass door and into their home — before striking Ayers.
“The odds, I’d guess, are 1 in infinity,” said BCSO Maj. Tommy Ford. “This was just tragic.”
BCSO recovered the handgun believed to be used in the shooting, but its magazine had not been located, Ford said.
The sheriff’s office was called to Shisler’s house on March 30 to investigate a report of possible gunshots fired. An investigators determined the gunshots were fireworks. There were no reports of conflict between the neighbors, Ford said.
Shisler was arrested and charged with manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm. He had a previous felony conviction for carrying a concealed firearm from 2006.
Musician
Ayers, a musician and guitar teacher, had grieving friends pour into the store where he and his wife worked and gave music lessons for about 20 years. Ayers taught lessons at A Beat Better Music in downtown
The couple had not only just had their first child, but also recently bought the home in September of last year to raise the family.
Ayers started taking lessons at the music store when he was about 14 years old, then turned around and returned the lessons to many local musicians just starting out. He had about 30 people he was teaching at the time of his death, said co-worker Larry Farmer.
“He was open to every student no matter their ability level,” Farmer said. “He had a good way of inspiring his students. He had a passion for music and was very talented.”
Ayers had taken the week off to get the baby settled into his new home. Co-workers at A Beat Better solely were at the store Wednesday to embrace the grieving friends Ayers had inspired throughout the years.
“He’s going to be deeply, deeply missed,” Farmer said.
State prosecutors requested Shisler’s combined bond be set at $500,000 during his first appearance Wednesday because of concerns he might be a flight risk. Judge Timothy Campbell set his bond at $75,000 after Shisler stated he’d been a resident of
An earlier version of this story is posted below:
PANAMA CITY — A new father is dead after what appears to be an accidental shooting Tuesday night.
Steven Justin Ayers, 33, and his wife had gathered family members to celebrate the homecoming of their 3-day-old baby — born on Father’s Day. But the celebration at 2502 Michigan Court ended shortly after 6 p.m. when a stray bullet entered the home, struck Ayers in the back of the head and killed him.
Moments earlier, Charles Edward Shisler, 62, had picked up a loaded 9mm pistol in his residence, adjacent to the Ayers’ home, when the gun discharged. Shisler was on his porch at 3708 W. 25th St. when Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived minutes after the shooting, according to arrest reports.
Shisler was initially uncooperative with deputies and “belligerent,” according to arrest reports. While in custody, waiving his right to remain silent, Shisler told officers the shooting was accidental.
“The damn gun doesn’t usually shoot,” Shisler’s arrest report quoted him as saying. “You have to squeeze the hell out of the trigger to shoot it.”
Shisler told deputies he tried to pick up the gun by its trigger, but it fired a hole through his screen. He later told deputies he hid the gun under his mattress. A blood test taken more than four hours after the incident showed Shisler had a blood alcohol content of 0.079, deputies reported.
Shilser was arrested and charged with manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm. He had a previous felony conviction for carrying a concealed firearm from 2006.
Ayers, a musician and guitar teacher, had several comments and condolences on his Facebook page from friends and former students. Ayers taught lessons at D & H Music in downtown Panama City and played several venues throughout the Panhandle with The Ayers, his band.
Ayers’ body has been turned over to the medical examiner’s office for autopsy. The BCSO Crime Scene Unit will conduct a forensic examination of the scene.
The investigation was continuing Wednesday.
Check back later Wednesday for updates.