Shelbina Teen Dies After Unintentional Gunshot Wound

By Marlana Smith

 

A Shelbina teen died early Wednesday morning, July 17, after being unintentionally shot in the torso.

According to information released by Shelbina Police Department Chief Jerry Fenton, they received a 911 call to the 200 block of West Beech Street, in Shelbina, at 12:56 a.m.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the 23-year-old man handling the .50 caliber muzzle loader was not familiar with muzzle loading type weapons, and discharged the firearm, striking 17-year-old Zachery Stokes, in the forearm, then in the torso.

Stokes was transported by Salt River Ambulance District to Samaritan Hospital in Macon, and was pronounced dead at 1:55 a.m.

Fenton said, “An air-evac helicopter was called and was coming from Columbia, but Stokes died before their arrival.”

Fenton said, “The case is still under investigation and officials aren’t ruling out criminal charges. No arrest was made at this time.”