Sheriff’s office investigating after Moberly School District student dies in gun accident
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A fifth-grade student in the Moberly School District died after an accidental shooting over the weekend, the district said in a statement Tuesday,
“Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Superintendent Cristina Wright wrote in the statement. “The district is providing counseling and supportive services for students and staff and will continue to make these resources available for as long as they are needed.”
Wright wrote that multiple organizations have stepped in to help students and staff in the aftermath of the death, including churches, neighboring school districts in Renick, Sturgeon and western Randolph County, and mental health professionals at Burrell Behavioral Health.
Wright wrote that the district would not share other details out of respect for the family. The district did not release the student’s name.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that it is investigating the shooting, which happened at a residence outside Moberly.
Deputies tried to save the child, who later died at a hospital, the release states. The sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing and no other details will be immediately released because minors are involved.
Randolph County Prosecutor Stephanie Lunsford says she is unable to confirm the child’s name at this time.
Lunsford said the sheriff’s office will conduct a thorough investigation before any decision is made on whether charges will be filed, adding that incidents like this have been rare during her time in office.