Elizabeth Krantz, 38, of Chardon OH was killed when a friend shot her in the head while unloading spent shells at a gun enthusiasts gathering, July 18, 1993, in Mantua Township.
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Chardon Woman Shot Dead at Gun Gathering

Plain Dealer
Tuesday, July 20, 1993

By Ken Zapinski

Elizabeth Krantz died Sunday surrounded by friends.

A common love of firearms brought the group together at the Mantua home of Joseph McGreal, as it did every year, to enjoy the day and take target practice with their guns.

But Krantz, 38, of Chardon, was killed when Frank A. Sara shot her in the head while he was unloading spent shells from his .44-caliber Magnum revolver, according to the Portage County Sheriff's Department. Sara, 47, has not been charged. The shooting is still under investigation, said sheriff's Lt. John Ristity.

"It was an accidental firing of a gun," said Krantz's husband, Alfred, who said Sara was especially close to the couple.

"He's devastated," Krantz said of Sara. "Can you imagine - you shoot your best friend. I don't hold any grudges or anything. It was just her time. God just wanted her."

The Krantzes, Sara and others were part of a group of friends who shared an affection for guns and motorcycles. Krantz said members of the group would travel together to motorcycle races in Daytona, Fla., and all over the country. "Motorcycles bring us all together," he said.

Neither Sara nor McGreal, the host of Sunday's party, could be reached for comment.

The shooting occurred about 2 p.m. Sara had just finished firing his six-shot revolver and had started to unload the spent shells when the gun discharged, hitting Mrs. Krantz, who was standing nearby, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The Krantzes had moved to Chardon from Cleveland two years ago. Mrs. Krantz worked in the quality management section of Meridia Suburban Hospital in Warrensville Heights, her husband said.

Alfred Krantz and a friend, Bob Vokac, said that their friends are responsible gun owners who took the proper safety precautions whenever they gather to shoot.

"These are gun people. They've had hundreds of these parties and no one has ever been scratched," Vokac said.

"It was done in a very responsible manner. It's not like a bunch of crazy people running around shooting each other," said Vokac, who was not at Sunday's party but has attended gatherings at the McGreal home in years past.

The sheriff's report indicated that Sara's blood-alcohol level was .003% percent, well below the state's legal definition of intoxication.

"I feel more sorrow for him than I do for Betsy, because he has to live with it," Vokac said.