Navy SEAL from Boardman accidentally shoots himself

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A Navy SEAL who graduated from Boardman High School accidentally shot himself in the head shortly after 2 a.m. PST Thursday in his San Diego condo.

San Diego police declined to identify the victim, but The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, identified him as Geno Clayton, son of Clayton Heating and Cooling business owner Gene Clayton.

Police said Clayton was showing a gun to a female acquaintance he met in a nightclub, and to assure her the gun was not loaded, he placed it to his head and pulled the trigger.

Clayton was pronounced dead shortly after 3 a.m. but was placed on life support, where he remained Thursday night, police said.

Police also noted that a second male at the Pacific Beach condo was asleep and did not hear the gunshot. The evidence points to a “tragic accident,” police said.