MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - A 70-year-old Muskegon Heights man has been charged with the fatal shooting of his long-term girlfriend.

Otha Lee Wade Jr. is accused of accidentally shooting Wilma Roberson, 71, at their home in the 2100 block of Wood Street just after 11 p.m. Friday, July 13, said Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat.

Wade, 70, had just purchased the semi-automatic handgun and had removed the magazine, said Muskegon Heights Police Chief Joseph E. Thomas Jr. Thinking the gun was not loaded, he pointed the gun at a refrigerator and pulled the trigger, Thomas said.

Roberson, Wade's girlfriend of 50 years, happened to be walking past the refrigerator at the time and was shot in the chest, Thomas said. A police sergeant performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until an ambulance arrived to transport Roberson to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, Thomas said.

Wade was arraigned late Monday afternoon, July 16, on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. That normally carries a 15-year maximum sentence, but because Wade has a prior conviction, the maximum for him is 22 1/2 years.

Wade was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in Kent County in 1998, Maat said.

Muskegon County District Judge Geoffrey Nolan entered a not guilty plea to the manslaughter charge on Wade's behalf. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety and a preliminary examination was scheduled for 2 p.m. July 31.

Maat and Thomas emphasized that the investigation into Roberson's death is continuing.

"This charge is preliminary and may change based on the completion of the investigation," Maat said.

Thomas said the case underscores the "anguish" that can be caused by firearm use.

"I can't stress it enough - get rid of these guns," Thomas said. "People are people. They're careless. They don't know how to use them and they're causing all kinds of anguish."

Even if a magazine is removed from a handgun, there can still be a bullet in the chamber, he said.

"This is not a video game," Thomas said. "You cannot reset somebody's life."