ALTON • An Alton teenager accidentally shot and killed himself Saturday while playing with a handgun, authorities said Monday.

Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn identified the teen as Austin Jazz Wilcox, 18, of the 700 block of Washington Avenue in Alton.

Wilcox was found shot in the head about 1:30 a.m. Saturday in a living room chair in his apartment on Washington Avenue, Nonn said. Witnesses in Wilcox's apartment told police Wilcox had recently obtained the semiautomatic handgun and had been playing with it. Witnesses also said Wilcox had said the gun wasn't working properly and wouldn't fire.

People inside Wilcox's apartment told authorities they had been watching television in the living room when they heard a gunshot and saw that Wilcox had shot himself.

Authorities believe the shooting was accidental.

Toxicology tests are pending, Nonn said. Alton police are continuing to investigate.

Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editor, Mandy St. Amand. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.