Boy fatally shot on Tuesday

Published 1:06 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2026

BERGMAN — A gathering of teenagers resulted in a death late Tuesday afternoon of last week.

Around 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a call on Hickenbottom Road in north central Boone County.

Deputies found a 16-year old boy with an apparent fatal gunshot wound.

“This is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of a young life,” said Boone County sheriff Roy Martin. “Firearm safety should always be practiced and that firearms should never be handled carelessly or while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.”

The sheriff’s office believed that the young men at the residence were likely using a controlled substance while handling a loaded weapon.

One of the juveniles was handling the weapon when it discharged and struck another young man in the room.

Because of the circumstances of the incident, the juvenile handling the weapon was charged with negligent homicide.

That juvenile was transported to a juvenile detention center and is awaiting a hearing on the matter.

“Based on the circumstances of the incident where subjects were believed to be under the influence and carelessly handling a weapon that resulted in the death of another person,” said Martin, “charges had to be filed.”

The deceased young man was a student at Harrison High School.

Harrison School District’s counseling team was available to students for grief therapy. Counselors will be available to students as long as they are needed.