Jeremy W. Caywood, 30, of Battlement Mesa died of a gunshot wound Saturday after being shot at a private residence located between Rifle and Parachute, according to authorities.

Sheriff's deputies and an ambulance were called to the residence at 4:09 a.m. Saturday, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office press log.

“We are not releasing any further information, because it remains an active case,” said Tanny McGinnis, spokeswoman for the sheriff.

She said the case is being treated as a homicide, and would not release the name of the person who fired the gun.

One witness, however, described the shooting as accidental, according to a community source close to one of those who were present at the incident. The source asked not to be identified.

Sheriff Lou Vallario told the Post Independent in an email that he wanted to avoid making statements that “might taint any possible witnesses or jurors” in a case that may end up before a local judge.

jcolson@postindependent.com