A Bogue Chitto man was killed Friday night during an allegedrifle-cleaning accident, according to authorities.

James Bardwell, 39, of 1536 Big Creek Dr., was killed by ashotgun blast to the head, said Lincoln County Coroner ClayMcMorris.

“The call came in as an accidental shooting,” said LincolnCounty Sheriff Steve Rushing. “We’re still investigating to makesure that’s what occurred.”

Bardwell was struck by a shotgun blast from a rifle being heldby Virgil Magee, age unknown, of the same address, Rushingsaid.

Magee has been living with Bardwell’s mother, Marsha Bardwell,for the past 12 years, the sheriff said.

“He said it was a cleaning accident,” Rushing said.

McMorris said it appeared that the two men had hunting on theirminds.

“I think they had been hunting or were planning to hunt thismorning,” he said.

Deputy Coroner John Hart pronounced Bardwell dead at the sceneat 8:05 p.m. The body has been sent to Mississippi Mortuary inJackson for an autopsy, McMorris said.

“The autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow,” he said. “We shouldhave some preliminary reports Monday.”