GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VA-(WTVR) News of an Army specialist's death is still hitting the Goochland community hard.
Those who knew Ryan Benson are still trying to figure out how this could have happened. The Goochland Sheriff tells CBS 6 News that Benson was at a party on Camelback Road when some gun play just got out of control.
Sheriff Agnew says the man who owned the gun told friends that the gun wasn't loaded. He also pointed the gun at his own head a few times and pulled the trigger and nothing happened, said the Sheriff.
When Benson took the gun and tried the same thing, the outcome was tragically different.
"It is just so heart wrenching losing so many young people who I went to school with," Amber Goodman said. Goodman told CBS 6 that she has known Benson for years, having gone to Goochland High School with him.
"Whenever you saw him he always had a big smile on his face. He was always positive. He was also really into his army and military work," Goodman said.
The circumstances of Benson's death are really difficult for Goodman and others to wrap their minds around. She told CBS 6 that it was even more of a shocker because she found out the news by reading it on Facebook.
"They all had a status that said rest in peace Ryan. I also hadn't heard from Ryan in a while so to hear R.I.P., it's hard," Goodman said.
Court documents show that David Cash Raymond was charged with a misdemeanor gun charge. He's scheduled to appear in court at 8:45 a.m. on April 1.
CBS 6 News attempted to reach Raymond at his Gum Spring home, but was unsuccessful. Sheriff Agnew says in addition to Raymond's arrest, two minors at the party were arrested for allegedly possessing alcohol.
CBS 6 News has learned that loved ones are planning a vigil for Ryan Benson at Goochland High School sometime this week. As specific details become available, we will update that information.
