VIDALIA, La. — A Mother’s Day celebration turned deadly Sunday when a mother accidentally shot and killed her 22-year-old son while they were playing with a gun, law enforcement authorities said.

Julia Swanson, of 719 Walnut St., was questioned by sheriff’s deputies but later released after witnesses said the death of Jerome&160;&uot;Pluck&uot; Swanson, of Ferriday, was not intentional.

&uot;This was a horrible tragedy for the family,&uot;&160;said Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell. &uot;Our investigation shows that it was completely unintentional — an absolute accident.&uot;

The family had gathered at 123 Morris Road Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day and to have a birthday party for Jerome Swanson’s younger brother.

Julia and Jerome Swanson were playing with a .38-caliber pistol in the kitchen of the house when it accidentally fired, Maxwell said.

&uot;It was a goofing-off that turned bad,&uot; said Jimmy Darden, an investigator with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Department.

The pistol belonged to the victim, who had assured his family it was not loaded, Darden said. &uot;It wasn’t supposed to be loaded and it was loaded,&uot; Darden said.

The mother and son had not been fighting or arguing but as part of the play the son picked up the gun and pointed it at his mother, after which she picked it up, Darden said. &uot;She had been doing just what he had been doing,&uot; Darden said.

The one bullet fired from the gun struck Swanson in the head over his ear, Darden said.

There were seven witnesses at the scene.

Jerome’s sister, Letesha Swanson, called in the shooting at around 10:53 p.m. Sunday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Darden said.

No charges will be filed against the mother.

Darden said Julia Swanson was in shock over the incident. &uot;The whole family is really,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;It was a terrible thing.&uot;

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Monday at Concordia Funeral Home in Ferriday.