'Just a tragic accident'

COEUR d’ALENE — Veronica “Roni” Rutledge’s family prefers to remain private when it comes to the media, but after seeing all the criticism of her on social media they wanted to set the record straight.

“We are usually a private family but I decided to talk with press because I felt I owed it to Roni to make sure people realize she was a responsible gun owner,” said her father-in-law Terry Rutledge, of Athol.

Roni Rutledge, 29, was accidentally shot to death by her 2-year-old son on Tuesday during a post-Christmas shopping trip at the Hayden Walmart.

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