The dad of a child born on father’s day was killed by a stray bullet as he welcomed the baby home in Florida last week.

New dad Steven Ayers and his wife and family were holding a party as their three-day-old baby returned home on Tuesday when a bullet came through the back window of the house and hit Ayers, killing him. Ayers worked as a musician and a teacher, and lived in Panama City in Florida.

Police found a neighbour, Charles Shisler, in the garden behind the family’s home, according to local reports. “The damn gun doesn’t usually shoot,” 62-year-old Shisler is alleged to have told police.

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Shisler, who is thought to have been intoxicated, is said to have admitted to firing the gun and has been charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was convicted for another firearms offence in 2006.

The bullet travelled nearly the length of a football field to reach the family home and hit Ayers in the back of the head.