Unanswered questions still linger 46 days after a man was killed in what police believe was an accidental shooting in Homestead.

As investigations by the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office and Maricopa Police Department grind forward and some vital documents remain classified, a law enforcement official has shared important new details about the case with InMaricopa.

The shooting

MPD responded to reports of a person shot at a home on the 20600 block of North Wilford Avenue just after 9 a.m. on June 29.

Officers there found an adult man with a single gunshot wound to his chest, according to MPD spokesperson Monica Williams. He succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, officers believe the man was cleaning or assembling his firearm and it accidentally discharged,” Williams said that day.

Getting closer to closing the case

Nearly seven weeks on and PCMEO is not ready to officially label the death an accident, however. The medical examiner will classify any shooting death as either an accident, suicide or homicide.

A preliminary search of public records suggests Begaye, who is from Tuba City, lived in Tempe at the time of his death. The owner of the Wilford Avenue home that became an active police scene in late June is a 49-year-old immediate relative of Begaye, according to the Pinal County Assessor’s Office.

InMaricopa could not find records suggesting Begaye lived in Maricopa.

“Begaye was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” Williams said yesterday. “Our investigation suggests this shooting was accidental, and we are waiting for a final report from the office of the medical examiner prior to closing the case.”