Country singer Justin Carter dies after accidentally shooting himself while filming music video

The US singer - tipped to be the next Garth Brooks - was using a gun as a prop on a video set at the time of the accident

Justin Carter was an up-and-coming country star. Justin Carter / YouTube 
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Up-and-coming country music star Justin Carter has died after accidently shooting himself.

The singer, 35, was killed while filming a music video. He was using a gun as a prop when it was accidentally discharged, hitting him in the head.

Carter was just about to set off on a 10-state tour, his mother Cindy McClellen told Fox News, describing the incident as “devastating”.

“He was a wonderful person, very loving and he loved our God very much," she said. "He just loved music, he was very gifted and by God, his voice was spectacular.”

The news was confirmed with a post on Carter’s Facebook and Instagram pages, asking his fans to “keep his family in their prayers” and calling for privacy.

Carter was a father to two daughters, Dixie and Kaylee, with his mother adding that his dream in life was to provide for his family.

"Justin had a potential to –you know, in our eyes, and a lot of people's eyes – to be the next Garth Brooks," a statement from his management added.

The incident occurred on Sunday, March 17.