A Kansas University student who died last week was the victim of an accidental shooting, authorities have ruled.

Christopher Martell, 18, was found dead in his car Thursday in Kansas City, Kan. He was a freshman at KU enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering.

Martell bled to death after accidentally shooting himself in the leg, His father, Miguel Martell, said he was told that Christopher likely bled to death soon after a bullet struck a main artery in his leg, possibly late Wednesday.

Miguel Martell said the family wasn’t sure why Christopher was in the area, but he might have been giving someone a ride home. He said he was not aware that his son owned a gun, but his friends said Christopher kept the gun in his glove compartment for protection.

Funeral services for Martell are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Kansas City, Kan. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with rosary said at 6 p.m., at Joseph A. Butler and Son Funeral Home, 19th and Minnesota streets in Kansas City, Kan.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway issued a statement on Martell’s death.

“On behalf of the entire KU community, I want to express my profound sorrow at the death of Christopher Martell,” Hemenway said. “We are filled with great sadness at the word of this tragic loss of such a bright young man, and we offer our condolences to his family and friends.”