The former firearms instructor charged in the shooting death of an Ohio corrections officer during a training exercise earlier this year has pleaded guilty.

The instructor, who said he thought his pistol had blank ammunition, has since pleaded guilty in the death, local news outlets report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The instructor charged with the shooting death of an officer during a training exercise earlier this year pleaded guilty to negligent homicide on Monday.

Former state prison firearms instructor David Pearson shot Lt. Rodney Osborne, 43, in the chest during a firearms training Pearson was leading.

An Ohio corrections officer charged with negligent homicide changed his plea in court Monday morning. Appearing in a Pickaway County Courthouse, 45-year-old David Pearson, who was charged in the death of Lt.