The Porter County Sheriff’s Police is investigating the shooting death on Sunday of a Valparaiso teen.

According to police, at 6:37 p.m. officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of Salt Creek Parkway in South Haven in response to a report of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators have initially determined that Burnie Blackmon, 18, was handing a semi-automatic handgun which belonged to Nicholas Gundrum, 22, of rural Valparaiso.

“Blackmon for unknown reasons chambered a round into the weapon and discharged the weapon,” police said. “The round struck Blackmon in the head.”

Blackmon was pronounced dead at the scene by the Porter County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation is continuing.

Posted 3/2/2010