Friends and family who witnessed a Reading man suffer a gunshot wound to the head said it was all a tragic accident.

Michael Nieves, 30, passed away Monday morning at Reading Hospital.

He was rushed there after being shot at the Leesport Gun Club in Ontelaunee Twp., Berks Co., said police, who were called to the club just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

"He puts the pistol to his head and he pulls the trigger," said Rafael Antonio Piovanetti, the victim's cousin. "After that, I seen the revolver spark."

"We all froze and we heard the shot and we seen the smile on his face just disappear," said Martin Sanger, a friend of the victim.

Piovanetti and Sanger said Nieves thought the .22 caliber revolver he was using was empty and didn't realize there was another bullet left.

"I got tired of screaming and crying. I jumped on him, checked his pulse, and his pulse was still pulsing. I told him, 'Talk to me.' He tried to talk to me," said Piovanetti.

"I'm taking it pretty hard myself,  personally, because he shot himself with my gun," said Sanger.

They said Nieves loved music and dancing, and he was an expert marksman, as well as a frequent visitor to the Leesport Gun Club.

"I can't believe it. It's something that I can't accept. But I have to face up to the fact that we lost a good person," said Melissa Vintora.

"And we were raised together in the Bronx, New York. And now he's gone," said Piovanetti.

"Continue to pray for the family and friends because they're going to need it," said Sanger.

An autopsy on Nieves will be done Tuesday afternoon, the coroner said.

Police said, at this point, they are investigating the shooting as a self-inflicted accident.

Family members said Michael's organs will be donated to help others.