A Bristol Township man has been charged with unintentionally killing his friend.

Cory Lei Ray, 24, was arraigned this afternoon on counts of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.

The charges stem from the Jan. 16 shooting of 24-year-old Jacob Pfeifer-Johnson in the kitchen of Ray’s Indigo Road home. According to statements contained in the affidavit of probable cause filed today, Ray shot the man once in the chest while attempting to unload his H&K P2000 9mm handgun.

Ray told a detective he forgot to eject the weapon’s loaded magazine before racking the slide, causing another live round to enter the chamber, the criminal complaint says. Ray said the weapon fired when his thumb slipped from the hammer as he attempted to de-cock the gun.

Despite lifesaving efforts, Pfeifer-Johnson, of Philadelphia, died the following morning at St. Mary Medical Center, succumbing to his injuries some 13 hours after being shot.

“Mr. Pfeifer-Johnson’s death was 100% avoidable,” said Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub. “The tragic message here is: keep your guns safe.”

The case was investigated by Bristol Township Police with the assistance of Bucks County Detectives. Deputy District Attorney David A. Keightly has been assigned to prosecute.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 13 before District Judge Robert L. Wagner. Ray remains free on unsecured bail.

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Contact: David A. Keightly, 215.348.6342, dakeightly@buckscounty.org