A man accidentally shot and killed his wife at their Edison home while he was clearing his gun, authorities said.
Police were called to the house at 2:09 p.m. on Friday and found 76-year-old Patricia Novak suffering from a gunshot wound, authorities said. She was rushed her to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she died, according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators said Novak’s 82-year-old husband had been in a room on the first floor of the house, trying to clear one of his registered guns, authorities said.
The weapon discharged into the basement and a bullet struck his wife, authorities said. He heard her scream, went to check on her and when he realized what happened, he immediately called 911, authorities said.
He has cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation, which is ongoing, the office said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Edison Police Detective Christian Paone at 732-248-7413 or Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3289.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
