A 75-year-old Covington man accidentally shot himself early Thursday morning, while getting ready for work.

James T. Smith, a long-time manager at Lester Lackey & Sons Funeral Home, was killed.

Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis said that the shooting has been ruled an accident.

"This was an unfortunate event and a great loss to Covington of a fine man — a good, strong member of the community," said Davis. "He was a personal friend of mine and I will miss him dearly."