An 18-year-old rural Wells County man who was in critical condition after being shot in the head yesterday afternoon has died.

According to Indiana State Police Detective Kent Havens, yesterday at approximately 1:15 p.m., the 18-year-old victim and his 19-year-old friend were at a residence in the 3200 block of West County Road 600 N, just outside of Markle, when the incident occurred. Havens said that as the two young men were cleaning handguns, an apparent accidental discharge occurred. As a result, the 18-year-old victim was shot in the head with what appeared to be a .45 caliber bullet from the handgun that his 19-year-old friend was handling.

The victim was taken immediately to a Fort Wayne hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Havens said that earlier this afternoon, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital. No arrests have been made and while this appears to be an apparent accidental shooting, an investigation into the incident is under way. Detective Diane Betz with the Wells County Sheriff Department and Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technician Sergeant John Petro are assisting Havens with this investigation. The Allen County Coroner's Office will handle the release of the victim's name. The name of the 19-year-old is being withheld at this time.