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Man Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter For Shooting

WILKES-BARRE — A man has now been charged for a deadly shooting in Wilkes-Barre. Police said Brandon Switzer, 22, accidentally shot Zachary Williams, who ...

WILKES-BARRE -- A man has now been charged for a deadly shooting in Wilkes-Barre.

Police said Brandon Switzer, 22, accidentally shot Zachary Williams, who later died at the hospital after being shot in the head Tuesday afternoon.

Brandon Switzer of Nanticoke was led by detectives into a magistrate`s office where he was charged with a misdemeanor offense of involuntary manslaughter.

The arraignment happened just hours after Wilkes-Barre police were called to a home on North Sherman Street after police said Zachary Williams was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

After talking to Switzer and a third man, Edward Berkowitz, detectives learned the three men were inside Berkowitz's home, playing with a hand gun.

Berkowitz told police he was in the bathroom when he heard a gunshot and saw Williams bleeding from the head. He called 911.

Switzer told police he and Williams were taking the magazine in and out of the gun and working the slide action.

Police said when Williams went to take the gun from Switzer, Switzer said they didn`t realize the gun was loaded and he accidentally released the trigger killing Williams.

Bail was set at $250,000 but through arrangements with a bail bonds person and no objection from detectives, the judge allowed Switzer to be released to his family right after his arraignment.

Switzer is expected to be back in court on July 11 for a preliminary hearing.

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