Police in Pinellas Park said that a Florida man accidentally shot himself in the face, and then died on Tuesday while he was threatening his wife and dog with a gun.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, 57-year-old Dennis Eugene Emery was arguing with his wife in their home at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Pinellas Park police said that Emery had pointed a gun at the dog during the argument, and had pulled back the hammer to emphasize his seriousness.

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But Emery made the mistake of pointing the gun at himself while trying to release the hammer, and a bullet discharged into his face.

Paramedics found Emery dead at the scene. It was not immediately clear why he had been arguing with his wife.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that police had arrested Emery three times in the last five days, including charges for domestic battery and aggravated assault.

In all, Pinellas Park police had a record of 34 contacts with the deceased man. He had been convicted of drunken driving in 1977, a concealed weapons charge in 1978, and public intoxication in 1983. Domestic violence charges were brought against him in 2013, but they were later dropped.