A 9-year-old boy is dead in Ohio after he was accidentally shot Friday afternoon while handling a gun with his 14-year-old cousin, according to local media reports.
Matthew Schreckengaust was shot while “examing a gun” with his 14-year-old cousin in Minerva, Ohio, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Authorities told Fox8 Cleveland that the boys were “looking at and handling a gun that they believed was unloaded” when the weapon was discharged and hit Schreckengaust. He later died from the gunshot wounds at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio.
Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier said the gun was owned by the boys’ uncle.
“Two young boys inquisitive about a firearm and, unfortunately, this resulted in a horrific tragedy for the family and for our community,” Maier said, according to the Beacon Journal.
