HILL COUNTY (October 19, 2009)--April Danielle Thomas, 24, of Odessa, who was arrested after a soldier who was home on two weeks leave from Iraq was shot to death early Saturday at a home in rural Hill County, told investigators that the shooting was an accident, authorities said Monday.

Thomas was charged with manslaughter Sunday in the shooting death of Pvt. Cody Ryan Patterson, 20, of Blum.

Hill County deputies responded to the report of the shooting just after 4 a.m. Saturday at Patterson’s home off of CR 1120 near Blum.

Patterson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thomas told investigators that she and Patterson, who she said were acquaintances, were playing with what she thought was an unloaded gun in Patterson’s bedroom early Saturday, authorities said Monday.

She told investigators she pointed the weapon at Patterson’s chest and pulled the trigger, authorities said.

The shot struck Patterson in the chest.

Thomas told investigators she panicked and fled.

Patterson, meanwhile, stumbled to his mother’s bedroom, where he collapsed and died, authorities said.

Thomas was later arrested in the Glen Rose area.

Her bond is set at $125,000.

Patterson was assigned to the Army’s 1st Armored Division, based at Fort Bliss.

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