Christopher Bergan flew more than 7,200 km from Norway to Florida Panhandle, USA to surprise his father-in-law's birthday but was shot ...
Christopher Bergan flew more than 7,200 km from Norway to Florida Panhandle, USA to surprise his father-in-law's birthday but was shot dead by his father-in-law himself.
His father-in-law, Richard Dennis, was startled when he heard someone knocking on the door around 11:30 pm on October 1. The 61-year-old man gripped his gun as he walked out of his house in Breeze Bay, Florida. When he saw someone jumping out of the bush, he pulled the trigger.
Only then did Dennis realize that the man was his son-in-law.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said Christopher Bergan flew more than 7,200 km from Norway to Florida Panhandle as a surprise for his father-in-law's birthday when he turned 62 on October 2.
However, the unexpected joy that the son-in-law wanted to bring became a tragedy when Dennis's bullet shot straight into Bergan's heart, killing the 37-year-old man immediately.
Mr. Richard Dennis (right), who shot the wrong son-in-law 37 years old. Photo: Facebook.
Although the shooting was a catastrophic accident, authorities announced on October 3 that they would not pursue criminal charges against Dennis.
“I can only say that we should pray for this family. Because this is ... I can't imagine what they're going through, "Mr. Johnson said at a press conference. “I really can't say anything more. Terrible".
A coincidence could have contributed to Dennis's instability in the night of the shooting. Another relative knocked on his door at about 21:30. The two had argued, Mr. Johnson said, and Mr. Dennis had driven that person away.
Bergan probably didn't know it when he landed at the airport around 23:00 on the night of October 1 and went straight to Mr. Dennis's house. Bergan is a Norwegian who lived in Florida for many years before returning to his homeland with his wife.
Christopher Bergan, 37, took pictures with his family. Bergan was married to Dennis's daughter and lived in Florida before they moved back to their native Norway. Photo: Facebook.
After Dennis realized his grandfather had mistakenly shot, the family quickly called 911. They used a towel to press the victim's chest in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding but it was too late.
The sheriff said they would not charge Mr. Dennis. “He had an argument right at the door. A few hours later, another person banged on the door. The area was a fenced garden, and someone jumped out from the bush. You really can't blame Dennis for what he did. I think it was just a terrible accident that shouldn't have happened, ”Mr. Johnson explained.
Ms. Phoenix
