Cody Gilliland
Authorities charged a man with criminally negligent homicide Monday night, saying his "negligent handling" of a loaded firearm led to the death of Lauren Bonnema, 25.
Police responded to the 7700 block of East Brainerd Road at 6:19 p.m. and found Cody Gilliland, 29, standing in the doorway and holding a baby, according to court documents. Responders found Bonnema lying unresponsive on the ground inside with a gunshot wound to the face.
Paramedics transported her to a local hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Gilliland agreed to an interview with investigators and said Bonnema, his girlfriend, was cooking dinner while her seven-month-old child played in the living room. He went into his bedroom to look at one of his rifles, an AR-15-style weapon.
He picked up the gun and was looking at the scope when his dog entered the room. The dog wouldn't leave so he started yelling and kicking at the dog. The dog tried to jump at him and he kicked again, hitting the wall in the process and causing the gun to fire.
He found Bonnema lying on the ground with a gunshot wound shortly after. Upon a further investigation of the home, police found a bullet hole in the door of the master bedroom with a blood spatter covering the area around it.