An Accidental Shooting?

Barney Riggs’ first killing was unintentional…right?

Barney Riggs was one of the most feared gunmen in the Old West. But his first shooting may—or may not—have been a mistake. In 1874, Riggs shot and killed a friend named Hugh Armstrong in Salado, Texas. Interestingly, though, Riggs didn’t want to answer questions about the incident. When the local sheriff wanted to talk with him, Barney went on the lam. He ended up in Cochise County, Arizona Territory—where he became a deputy for Sheriff John Behan.