A 17-year-old boy from Iowa was tragically shot after ‘being mistaken for a squirrel’ during a hunting trip. He later died from his injuries.
Authorities confirmed the incident
Officials said 17-year-old Carson Ryan was ‘struck in the back of the head’ by another hunter at around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, September 27.
He was on a hunting trip in Brighton, which is located roughly 12 miles from Des Moines.
He was rushed to the hospital
According to a news release by Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the boy ‘was mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party’, per CBS.
He was rushed to UI Health Care Medical Center, where he later tragically died from his injuries. An investigation into his death is still ongoing.
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His high school held a vigil for him
Carson was a senior at Washington High School, where a vigil was held for him on Sunday, September 28.
He was also a member of the high school’s varsity football team, who made sure to honor him.
The assistant coach gave a speech
At the vigil, assistant football coach Nic Williams said, per the Southeast Iowa Union, “Carson was a fierce competitor in everything he did.”
“He loved fishing. He loved being with his friends. But more importantly, Carson was a person of incredible faith.”
The coach praised Carson
“His smile and his laugh were contagious. He was loved by so many people: his mom, Heidi, his family and his friends and his teammates, his teachers and coaches and anyone who just got to spend a second with him,” Williams went on.
Other school districts are mourning his death
The teenager is being mourned by many school districts in the area, who urged their teams to wear Washington High’s black-and-orange team colors in the coming games as a way of paying their respects.
Another team wrote him a tribute
Among those who paid tribute to Carson were the Washington Demons Boys Track & Field, who wrote on Facebook, “Washington Boy’s Track & Field team asks you keep Carson’s Mom, family, classmates and teammates in your hearts as we navigate the devastating loss of Carson. Our hearts are broken.”
A GoFundMe was set up to help his family
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Washington resident Kelsie Wheeler, who seems to be a friend of Carson’s mother, Heidi, in order to support the boy’s ‘loved ones.’
She wrote, “Our dear friend, Heidi, is facing an unimaginable tragedy. Her beloved son, Carson, was taken far too soon in a tragic accident. No parent should ever have to experience such a heartbreaking loss, and our hearts are broken alongside hers.”
