A Des Moines man died early this morning of a gunshot wound to the head, a wound that a witness said was accidentally self-inflicted.

Police found John Charles Leedy in the hallway of his home in the 5700 block of Southwest Fourth Street about 4:10 a.m., according to a police report. Police were called by Samuel Joseph Petersen, 19, who told police he was Leedy's friend.


Petersen, of Norwalk, was transported to the Des Moines Police Department for questioning, but the information he gave to police was not immediately available today.

Brittany Irene Saar of Knoxville, who told police she is dating Petersen, was also taken to the police department to be questioned.

Saar told police that she met Leedy through Petersen and that they had gone to a party at a hotel. Saar said she did not know anyone at the party. The two men played a drinking game at the hotel before they left for Leedy's home, the report said.

Saar told police that when they arrived at Leedy's home, he wanted to show off his guns.

Saar said that Leedy then took what he thought was an empty gun and "pointed the gun at his right temple with his right hand and pulled the trigger," according to the report.

Saar told police that the gun fired and Leedy fell to the floor.

Petersen and Saar were released after questioning. Police said late today the incident was still under investigation.