IOWA CITY, IA (LOOTPRESS) – A teenager died last Saturday in rural Iowa after being 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 around 3 p.m., according to the 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 Washington County Sheriff’s Office, officials said.
The boys track and field team at Washington High School, where Ryan was a student-athlete, shared a message following his death, along with a photo of him in his team 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.
