Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says a 25-year-old Salem man died last Saturday from an accidental shooting that had occurred at his home earlier in the day.
The sheriff’s department was called to the home of Matthew Billingsley on Hotze Road where he apparently was shot in the abdomen by a pistol he was placing into a concealed carry holder. Cripps says Billingsley was preparing to leave the home at the time.
Billingsley was initially taken to Salem Township Hospital and later transferred to St. Louis University Hospital where he died later in the day.
Billingsley leaves behind his wife and son who turned one in March.
A funeral service will be held at 12:30 Saturday afternoon at the Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with visitation from ten until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Matt’s memory can be made to an education fund for his son Levi and will be accepted at the funeral home.
