Chicago firearms safety instructor, 61, accidentally shoots dead his wife, 60, while cleaning his gun and then turns the weapon on himself

An Illinois firearms safety instructor took his own life after accidentally firing and killing his wife while cleaning his gun.

Simeon Hendrickson, 61, was cleaning one of his weapons in the Chicago suburb of Bollingbrook last Saturday afternoon.

He accidentally discharged the gun and hit his wife Laurie Hendrickson, 60. Police said Simeon Hendrickson then turned the handgun on himself, taking his own life.

Hendrickson was pronounced dead at the scene as police arrived after getting a call at 5:45 p.m. local time. 

An Illinois firearms safety instructor took his own life after accidentally firing and killing his wife while attempting to clean his gun

Simeon Hendrickson, 61, was cleaning one of his weapons in the Chicago suburb of Bollingbrook last Saturday afternoon

Authorities said they’d originally headed to the scene for a report of a man who’d accidentally shot himself and on the way there, learned that a second person may have been shot. 

Wife Laurie died shortly after at a nearby hospital, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.   

‘The preliminary investigation has indicated Simeon S. Hendrickson was working on one of his handguns in his residence when it accidentally discharged and the round struck his wife, Laurie J. Hendrickson,’ police said. 

According to his Facebook page, Simeon Hendrickson was a gun enthusiast who taught firearms training.

Hendrickson accidentally discharged the gun and hit his wife, 60-year-old Laurie Hendrickson. Police said Simeon Hendrickson then turned the handgun on himself, taking his own life

Hendrickson was pronounced dead at the scene as police arrived after getting a call at 5:45 p.m. local time

Wife Laurie died shortly after at a nearby hospital

He taught classes in how to properly concealed carry at a facility in suburban Chicago.

‘Simeon Hendrickson then took his own life with the handgun.’ The Hendricksons had four children, one of whom pre-deceased them, as well as two grandchildren. 

‘They were loved and respected by many and were the greatest parents anyone could have ever ask for,’ their son, Derek, said in a Facebook post remembering them.

Police have said the incident is still under investigation but termed it a ‘random act’ and said there was no threat to the public. No further details have been released.

There were 549 accidental gun deaths in 2021, the most recent year for which that information is available.