By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A four-year old Montana boy was accidentally shot and
killed Sunday afternoon when a hand-gun discharged at a
private residence located along old U.S. Highway 91.
The accident occurred on Sunday, May 21, at
approximately 4 p.m.
"A seven-year old boy and the four-year old had been
playing with a small caliber hand gun they found hidden in
one of the drawers of a dresser when the gun accidentally
discharged while the seven-year old was holding it," said
David Carter, Juab County Sheriff.
"The four-year old was struck and critically wounded
by the bullet."
Carter said the two small boys involved in the
shooting accident, both cousins of the residents at the home
north of Mona, were attending a family reunion.
"It was a large family gathering and the two cousins
began snooping," said Juab County Deputy Greg Gurney, the
investigating officer. "When they found the hand-gun they
thought it was a toy."
The pair, who were both from Montana, found the gun
hidden in the drawer of a dresser. "They were playing and
began snooping through the drawers and, unfortunately, found
the gun."
The gun was loaded with two rounds, Carter said.
The names of the boys, the name of the gun's owner,
and the owner's of the home are not being released to the
public.
"The family is suffering from the untimely death of
the child. They have requested, as a result, that the
child's name not be released," Carter said.
Following the shooting, the boy was taken by East Juab
Ambulance to Mountain View Hospital in Payson. He was then
airlifted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake
City.
He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the
medical facility.
"We determined that the death was accidental," said
Carter. "There is no reason to suspect foul play. After the
medical examiner releases the body of the boy, it will be
taken to Montana for burial."
Both Carter and Gurney agreed that charges will not be
filed.
Gurney said the EMT (emergency medical technicians)
from nearby Rocky Ridge responded to the scene within
seconds of being alerted.
"The EMTs from Rocky Ridge, Mona, and Nephi all
responded to the call immediately. They are all to be
commended," said Gurney. "They did an excellent job of
keeping the boy alive until Lifeflight arrived and he could
be transported to Primary Children's."
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