Widow of gunshot victim sues sportsmen’s club, county

Melody DePretis, administrator of the estate of her late husband, Louis DePretis, filed a writ in Washington County Court this week initiating a suit against the Washington Sportsmen’s Association and Washington County.
DePretis, 60, was found by another member of the Sportsmen’s Association at the skeet range, 2151 N. Main St., Chartiers Township, on June 8, 2017.
A certified public accountant and former South Strabane Township supervisor, DePretis died of a gunshot wound to the chest which, according to the coroner’s report, was ruled accidental.
The nature of the suit, in which a complaint outlining details of the action had not yet been filed, was described as “premises liability.” The attorney representing Melody DePretis did not return a call for comment.
The association is also known as the Washington Sportsmen’s Club at the fairgrounds.
County Solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven had not seen the writ as of Thursday, but he said when the county is served with a copy, he will forward it to the insurance carrier.