A ninth grader died Wednesday after suffering “what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot” wound during a school field trip to a Provo Canyon park, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
A ninth grader died Wednesday after suffering “what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot” wound during a school field trip to a Provo Canyon park, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
A ninth grader died Wednesday after suffering “what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot” wound during a school field trip to a Provo Canyon park, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Police and medics responded to South Fork Park and airlifted the injured student to a local hospital. The student’s parents were quickly notified, the sheriff’s office noted in a news release.
“Unfortunately, the student did succumb to their injuries,” the release stated.
The student attended Canyon View Junior High in the Alpine School District, district officials confirmed. No other students and staff were injured, but some witnessed the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, including whether it’s being considered an accident. A spokesperson for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday evening that they had no more information at this time, citing the active investigation.
District officials also are unclear of the circumstances as the investigation continues, said Rich Stowell, a spokesperson for the Alpine School District.
It is not yet clear how the student obtained the firearm, Stowell added.
“The immediate priority is to help to make sure the students who attend school tomorrow are taken care of,” Stowell said Wednesday. “That they have the trusted adults to talk to about this.”
Counseling resources will be available at the school and remain in place as long as students need them, Stowell said. The district also plans to share additional resources with the school community.
“We are working with law enforcement, medical personnel and counseling experts to navigate this tragic situation,” the district said in its statement.
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