Man Receives Up To 10-Year Sentence For Accidentally Shooting Friend

Eric Benedict was shot to death last year.

A Haverhill man was sentenced to 7 to 10 years in state prison today for shooting a 25-year-old friend at a Lake Street home last Feb. 1.

A jury found Ross Tucker, 23, guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Jan. 23, following a four-day trial. Judge James Lang imposed the sentence in Salem Superior Court. He had been charged with manslaughter and carrying a firearm while under the influence in connection with the shooting death of Eric Benedict at Benedict’s Lake Street home.

“While the defendant did not intend to kill the victim, his reckless conduct, nevertheless, resulted in the senseless death of a young man,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “It cannot be overstated the danger posed by firearms and one careless act can be tragic.”

At trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Logan said Tucker was with several friends drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before shooting Benedict in the face after pulling the trigger on what he believed was an unloaded gun.

“He knowingly pointed the gun at the victim’s head with no regard for whether it was loaded. Coupled with his use of alcohol and marijuana that night, this was extreme reckless conduct,” Logan said.

Logan was assisted by Essex Assistant District Attorney James Gubitose. They thanked Haverhill Police Detective Glen Fogarty for his work on the case.

Tucker was represented by Attorney Scott Gleason.

One thought on “Man Receives Up To 10-Year Sentence For Accidentally Shooting Friend

  1. Such a sad situation. I remember 30 years ago hanging with hunting and fishing friends. I can see now how I was careless back then at times. Our prayers go out to all the families involved.