Coroner rules Lancaster-native soldier's shooting death accidental

A soldier’s death while target shooting with friends last weekend was accidental, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said Wednesday.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Heintz died when a .50-caliber pistol he was using recoiled and fired into him, Fisher said.

There were no signs alcoholic beverages or narcotics were involved, she said.

The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 1500 block of Willis Street about four miles south of Batesburg-Leesville, according to an incident report from deputies.

Heintz, 44, was there with his brother, Russell, and other friends, according to a website created in his memory.

He was a 23-year military veteran whose parents lived in Rock Hill, the website said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 4:24 PM with the headline " Coroner rules Lancaster-native soldier's shooting death accidental ."