The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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November 19, 2009

Walker County teen killed in ‘accidental shooting’

By Matthew Jackson

A Walker County teen was killed late Wednesday night in what Walker County Sheriff’s investigators are calling an “accidental shooting.”

Just after 8 p.m. Walker County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a home on Wood Farm Road in northeastern Walker County after receiving a call reporting a possible shooting.

When they arrived on scene, deputies found a 17-year-old white male who had sustained a single gun shot wound to the chest.

Deputies immediately began to perform CPR and continued until emergency medical technicians arrived.

The victim was transported to Huntsville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Richard Duncan.

The victim’s name is being withheld by the Sheriff’s Department pending notification of his extended family.

Following the shooting, Sheriff’s Office investigators recovered a weapon, believed to be a .44 Magnum revolver, at the home where the shooting took place.

As of Thursday afternoon, WCSO Sgt. Keith DeHart said investigators were still conducting interviews with witnesses and bystanders at the home at the time of the shooting.

A 16-year-old white male who possibly fired the weapon was taken into custody for questioning Wednesday, but was later released with no charges filed.

DeHart said investigators are still working to determine the circumstances of the shooting, but at this point foul play is not suspected.

“We haven’t finished talking to everybody,” DeHart said, “but all the information we’ve gathered so far has led us to believe it was accidental.”

DeHart said the sheriff’s office is encouraging added gun safety for residents in light of the incident.

“This time of year, during the hunting season, we’re encouraging everyone to be more mindful about firearms,” he said. “If people have any questions or concerns about how to better safeguard the firearms in their home, contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office or the Huntsville Police Department.”

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