Khaberni -
The state of Iowa witnessed a tragic incident with the death of a 17-year-old teenager, after he was accidentally shot during a squirrel hunting trip, after one of his companions mistook him for a "squirrel".
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources stated that the teenager, named Carson Ryan, was on a hunting trip with a group of friends when one of them fired a shot that hit him in the head. A spokesperson added that Carson was rushed to the UI Health Care Medical Center, but he died from his injuries, according to the British newspaper "The Sun."
The investigations are still underway to uncover the circumstances of the incident, as the town of Washington is in shock over the loss of one of its outstanding students. Ryan was in his senior year at Washington High School and a member of the football team, where he was described by assistant coach Nick Williams as "a fierce competitor in everything he did," adding: "He loved hunting and hanging out with his friends, but above all, he was a young man of deep faith."
Touching Farewell
The school's athletics team mourned Carson in a touching Facebook post, which read: "Our hearts are broken.. we ask you to keep his mother, his family, and his colleagues in your hearts as we all try to get through this devastating loss." A memorial vigil was held in his honor.
Alongside the sorrow, friends of the family launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to support his family, which has so far raised more than $53,000.
Kelsey Weller, a close family friend, described the late teenager as "a bright light to everyone who knew him," affirming that "his kindness, pure spirit, and sense of humor left a deep impact on everyone."
Renewed Controversy
The horrific incident has re-highlighted the escalating debate in the United States regarding gun laws, especially with the recurring incidents of shootings involving children. Carson's death coincided with the New York police's announcement of the clinical death of a 13-year-old teenager who was shot in the head on his way to school.
