;According to authorities, a 6-year-old child in South Carolina passed away on Friday following a shooting incident.
The victim was in a “elevated stand and appears to have been struck by a stray shotgun pellet from a shooter on the ground,” according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The deceased’s father named him as Avery Davis.
In a statement posted on X, the previous Twitter platform, the agency claimed on Monday that they were still looking into the Orangeburg County shooting, referring to it as a “accident.”
They said in their statement, “Our sympathies remain with the child’s family and loved ones.”
According to the local NBC affiliate WIS-TV, Avery passed away from a gunshot wound to the side of his head, according to the Orangeburg County Coroner. The coroner’s office was not immediately reachable for comment.
A 17-year-old fired the stray round, according to WIS-TV and USA Today. According to reports, it wasn’t immediately apparent if the teenager will be charged.
PEOPLE’s request for comment was not immediately answered by the department.
Avery’s father, Jeremy, expressed his emotional state on Facebook, saying he was unable to “process” the tragedy and was “at a loss” for words.
“I don’t know where to start when there is so much to say about this large heart and bright soul. “This boy of mine was loved by everyone who knew him,” he continued. “He was a national treasure, well-known for his wild antics and passion for the great outdoors. In his brief six years on the planet, he most certainly got his money’s worth.”
Teachers at Avery’s elementary school honored the young outdoorsman after he passed away by donning camouflage attire, according to WIS-TV. There were also grief counselors at the school.
As an organ donor, Jeremy wrote in his article that his son’s legacy “can live on through others”. Five additional people will now be able to benefit from Avery’s organs, according to WIS-TV.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my son and rest assured he will never be forgotten,” he said.
