Arizona man accidentally shoots and kills girlfriend while hugging her

An Arizona woman died on Tuesday after being accidentally shot and killed by her boyfriend while the couple was hugging.

Phoenix police said that the 18-year-old man was embracing his 24-year-old girlfriend at a home on Tuesday morning when the gun he was wearing in his waistband went off, according to KTVK.

The man told police that the gun had been causing his girlfriend discomfort during the hug so he attempted to move it. That's when the weapon discharged.

The woman was later pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

Phoenix Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Tommy Thompson told KNXV-TV that the case had been referred to Maricopa County Attorney's Office. But Thompson said that the shooting appeared to be an accident.

Watch this video from KTVK, broadcast Oct. 1, 2013.

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