15-year-old killed when gun accidentally fires during turkey hunt, NC officials say

A 15-year-old has died after a hunting accident while out with another teen, North Carolina officials said.

The 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were hunting early in the morning on May 5 near Belvidere in Perquimans County, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Lieutenant John Beardsley told McClatchy news in an email.

The 17-year-old stood up to look across a field with binoculars, Beardsley said, and while he was standing, he heard the 15-year-old’s gun shoot.

Beardsley said a preliminary investigation showed the 15-year-old had been trying to stand up when his shotgun accidentally fired, shooting him.

The 17-year-old called 911 and tried to save his hunting partner’s life, Beardsley said.

Officials received the call around 8:30 a.m., but by the time emergency personnel arrived, the 15-year-old had died, according to The Daily Advance.

Officials did not release the identity of the teen who died.

Perquimans County is about 150 miles east of Raleigh.

Irene Wright

McClatchy DC

Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.