Associated Press - September 30, 2009 1:35 PM ET

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) - Sweetwater County authorities say the shooting death of a 24-year-old Rock Springs man over the weekend appears to be an accident.

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell says Michael Brittain suffered a single, fatal gunshot wound to the chest on Sunday afternoon about 7 miles northwest of Rock Springs.

Investigators say Brittain had been on a four-wheel-drive outing with his brother and father that included shooting a semiautomatic rifle belonging to Brittain. The rifle dropped on the ground and discharged, and the bullet struck Brittain.

Haskell said a firearms specialist and range officer tested the rifle and determined that it was prone to discharge when dropped.

Information from: Rock Springs Rocket-Miner, http://www.rocketminer.com

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