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Police say shooting death of 19-year-old was accidental

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TBO.com

Published: April 25, 2009

Updated: 04/25/2009 07:48 pm

A 19-year-old who was accidentally shot in the face after a friend said the teen had been playing with a handgun has died, police said today.

John Taylor Weber was taken to Tampa General Hospital on Friday in critical condition. He died about 4 this morning, Tampa police said.

Weber was a senior at Tampa Preparatory School.

"John was a fine young man full of potential," said Kevin Plummer, Tampa Prep's head of school. "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family."

Classmate Andrew Marchetti said Weber would be missed.

"It was hard not to love John; he never failed to make someone laugh. And it didn't matter who he was talking to, he treated everyone like a friend," he said. "He's just someone everyone cared about."

Detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting but said no foul play is suspected.

Officers responded to 5613 S. Bayshore Blvd. about 4:08 p.m. after a 911 caller advised his friend was playing with a handgun and had shot himself.

Police found Weber and 22-year-old Zachary Daniel Kiely, who lives at the house, in the living room. Investigators recovered a handgun.

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