A teenager died Saturday in rural Iowa, after he was shot by a fellow hunter who apparently mistook him for a squirrel, officials said.
Carson Ryan, 17, was hunting squirrels outside Iowa City when gunfire from someone in his group struck him in the back of the head, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. In a news release, the agency said Ryan "was mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party."
The incident took place at around 3 p.m., according to department.
Ryan later died from his injuries at University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City. His death is currently under investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the sheriff's office in Washington County, where the shooting occurred, officials said.
The boys track and field team at Washington High School reacted to Ryan's death in a social media statement, which accompanied an image of the teen wearing the team's uniform.
"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," the post said.
Pekin Schools, another school district in the area, asked students and staff to wear the colors of Ryan's team Monday.
"Our hearts are with the Washington High School community as they mourn the tragic loss of one of their students," the district said in another post. "Pekin schools invite all staff and students to wear orange and black on Monday, September 29th as a sign of support Carson Ryan, his family, the Washington School District, and community."
A GoFundMe campaign launched in the wake of Ryan's death has raised more than $50,000 as of Wednesday morning. Its description said the teen was "a son, friend, and bright light to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."
"His kindness, humor, and genuine spirit touched countless lives, and his loss leaves an immeasurable void," it added.
How the fuck do you mistake someone's head for a squirrel, this is highly suspiciousRat tail ponytail?
Rat tail ponytail?Not funny, but I thought of Theo Von.
Carson Ryan, 17, was hunting squirrels outside Iowa City
How the fuck do you mistake someone's head for a squirrel, this is highly suspicious
From my understanding through local pages and DNR this was a ricochet shot though I havent seen that stated in an article.that makes everything else immaterial
that makes everything else immaterial
Firing a gun at something you havent identified sounds really responsible.Especially when you know you're in a group.
Rat tail ponytail?
my theory is he was accidently shot, like they wanted to scare or intimidate him by shooting above his head but then actually shot him, then they came to police and were like oh my god it was acident, we were hunting squirrels
i'm believing this could be the possible scenario. still needs to pay for what he caused.Even my six year old knows that when you were doing something stupid and risky, and the thing that was clearly going to happen happens, that's not an accident.
it's not an accident (at least one i think doesn't qualify under).
This is local to me and while the wording makes it sound really dumb often times on these hunts people mistake stuff through the brush and take shots they shouldnt when they are firing blindly into the brush when they hear noise and see any movement. Its not like they look right at someone in front of them and mistake them for an animal. A number of guys every year get mistaken for deer and shot. It shouldnt happen but it always does.
From my understanding through local pages and DNR this was a ricochet shot though I havent seen that stated in an article.
From my understanding through local pages and DNR this was a ricochet shot though I havent seen that stated in an article.
was He not wearing the orange vest and hat? Those are there to make people stand out to prevent accidents.
uhTwo words.
wat
This is local to me and while the wording makes it sound really dumb often times on these hunts people mistake stuff through the brush and take shots they shouldnt when they are firing blindly into the brush when they hear noise and see any movement. Its not like they look right at someone in front of them and mistake them for an animal. A number of guys every year get mistaken for deer and shot. It shouldnt happen but it always does.Yet I did this every year. I used a scope too. I wasn't blindly shooting into the brush either.
From my understanding through local pages and DNR this was a ricochet shot though I havent seen that stated in an article.