A 24-year old Limestone County man, who had mental and physical disabilities, accidentally shot himself Sunday with a handgun he had recently purchased and for which he had taken a gun-safety course Friday.

Jonathan Smith, a 2004 graduate of Tanner High School, was found dead about 2 p.m. by his mother, Tammy Reyer, at their home at 9931 Poplar Point Loop in southern Limestone County, according to Jonathan’s father, Pete Smith.

“It was an accidental shooting,” said Limestone County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt. “He was playing with the gun when it discharged, striking him in the chest.”

Smith had bought the gun a couple of weeks ago at a gun shop on Alabama 99, had purchased a gun permit and had even attended a four-hour gun-safety course Friday, his father and a family friend said.

McNatt confirmed Smith had a permit for the gun.

Under Alabama law a person who is mentally ill or mentally handicapped can obtain a gun permit as long as they have not been institutionalized.

Smith had multiple sclerosis since about age 5 and attended special education classes at Tanner, according to the family friend.

The funeral for Smith will be at 2 p.m. today at Clements Baptist Church, where Smith was a member. See full obituary on page 3.