Funeral Held For Stoneham Firefighter Killed In Gunplay With Friend

STONEHAM (AP) — Funeral services have been held for a Massachusetts firefighter who authorities say was shot by a friend while they were drinking and playing with a handgun.

David Atherton was laid to rest Thursday in the veterans section of Lindenwood Cemetery in Stoneham following a funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Church.

Police have said Atherton's friend Patrick Riccardi-O'Connor admitted shooting him on June 28 while they were "fooling around with the gun."

Riccardi-O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He told police he didn't think the gun was loaded.

The 24-year-old Atherton and the 23-year-old Riccardi-O'Connor were military police officers in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. They had been friends since childhood.

A large contingent of firefighters and Guardsmen attended the services for Atherton.

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WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports