A headstone in the Hillgrove Cemetery tells us that James Briggs was accidentally shot on April 20, 1902.

A little more detail comes from the Sydney Evening News of April 23 1902. It tells us (twice):

HILLGROVE, Tuesday.—A sad shooting acci-  
dent occurred on Saturday at Jeogla. Thomas
Purcell, 16, and James Briggs, 22, were out  
shooting, and Purcell accidentally shot Briggs
through the head, death being instantaneous.
The coroner held an inquest yesterday, and a
verdict of accidental death was returned.

ARMIDALE, Tuesday.— News has been receiv-
ed that Thomas Purcell, 16, accidentally shot
James Briggs, 22 years, at Jeogla, about thirty
five miles from Armidale. They were shep-
herding. Both young men were lying down  
about eight yards apart, when the gun which
Purcell was handling went off, the bullet enter-
ing Briggs's eye. Death was instantaneous.