21-year-old man dies after he ‘accidentally shot himself’ in Queens

A21-year-old man has died after he allegedly shot himself while handling a gun inside his home in Queens, New York, on Monday, October 19.

The victim, Jonathan Armas, 21, was shot in the head at the upscale house on 25th Road near 18th St. in Astoria about 4:30 a.m., cops said.

The victim’s friends told police that he was handling the gun and inadvertently shot himself.

He was rushed to Mount Sinai Queens hospital, but he couldn’t be saved.

Relatives said Armas left behind a 2-year-old daughter and two sisters.

Armas’ second cousin Jenny Baez said she didn’t believe he meant to shoot himself. “That doesn’t really sound like Jonathan,” she said, standing with his grieving relatives outside his Queens apartment.

“I was speaking with his father this morning. He was at a loss of words. He was just mumbling,” she added. “This is the first time [Armas’ father is] going through something like this. He’s probably trying to find a funeral home.”

A neighbour, Brody Karn, said he heard the ambulances arrive about 4:45 am.

“I saw them carry him and give him CPR,” he said. “I’m OK as I can be right now. I had a front-row seat to the whole thing.”

The victim’s friends are being interviewed by NYPD detectives.