Cory Lei Ray and his best friend, Jacob Pfeifer-Johnson, had just gotten back to Ray’s house after a trip to the Neshaminy Mall on the afternoon of Jan. 16.
The two were both legally permitted to carry handguns, and as Ray, 24 years old at the time, took his gun out of the holster, he cleared the chamber without taking out the magazine. When he tried to de-cock the hammer, the gun went off and hit Pfeifer-Johnson in the chest.
“It’s the ultimate tragedy,” said Lou Busico, Ray’s lawyer. “You have two childhood friends who were inseparable.”
Ray pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to one year of probation. He told Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley that he thought of Pfeifer-Johnson as a brother. The pair met in first grade, and they helped each other through the deaths of close family members over the years.
“These were two young men who truly truly provided strength and support to one-another in their respective times of need,” his lawyer added.
Ray still keeps in touch with Pfeifer-Johnson’s family, who provide him with “love and support” in light of the shooting.
“They came to support to him at prior court proceedings and they advised the DA that they never wanted to see this young man behind bars,” added Busico.
Asked if Ray considered speaking out on gun safety, Busico said the memory of what happened is too raw.
“Each day’s a struggle for him. He’s doing what he can to move forward, but the memory of Jake will be with him forever.”