CHARLESTON, SC (AP) -- Authorities say a South Carolina teen accidentally shot and killed himself as he was getting into a sport utility vehicle.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Saturday that 19-year-old Dionta Cochran was shot in the chest by a .32-caliber pistol in the back pocket of his low-hanging pants.
Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten said Friday the bullet passed through Cochran's clothing and struck him as he bent forward, possibly to shut the door. Wooten did not know why the gun fired.
Cochran's death was initially considered a homicide. The North Charleston teen was found dead in a driveway Monday.
Police charged Cochran's cousin and a friend with trying to hide Cochran's gun and another gun before police arrived.
Cochran's half brother was shot to death in 2006.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH