Kevin Grasha

kgrasha@enquirer.com

A firearms instructor and his daughter have been charged in the June killing of a Clermont County gun shop owner who was struck by a bullet fired accidentally during a concealed carry class.

Mark T. Montgomery, 47, of Amelia, has been indicted on a felony reckless homicide charge. His daughter, Katie Dunham, of Mariemont – who prosecutors say was assisting with the class – was indicted on a misdemeanor negligent homicide charge.

James Baker, 64, was shot in the neck by a bullet fired while the class was practicing a gun "malfunction drill," officials said. A class participant fired a handgun, officials said. That person has not been named.

The incident happened the afternoon of June 18 at Baker's KayJay Gun Shop in Monroe Township. He was sitting in a room adjacent to where the class was happening.

Eighteen witnesses testified Tuesday at a grand jury proceeding, including all 10 participants in the class, Clermont County Prosecutor D. Vincent Faris said in a news release. The indictments were handed down Tuesday.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Montgomery declined to comment.

His attorney, Scott Croswell, said: "I believe that everyone would agree this was a horrific accident."

Montgomery faces up to five years in prison. Dunham faces six months in jail. She did not yet have an attorney listed Wednesday afternoon.

In a 911 call, Dunham said the class was doing a "malfunction misfiers" drill. She said they use plastic bullets, but somehow "there was a live round in one of the guns, and it went through the wall."

Baker was struck once in the neck.

The gun shop remains closed, according to its website.

Clermont County gun shop owner killed in accidental shooting