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MONTE CRISTO — A 14-year-old boy is dead after being struck in the head by a stray bullet fired by target shooters. The shooting happened in the Dairy Ridge area near Monte Cristo, UT.
The Rich County Sheriff’s office says a family of four was driving up a dirt road behind a grove of trees as another family was shooting at targets placed in those trees. It is believed the family’s mother was shooting when a bullet traveled through the trees, hitting the teenager in the car.
“The vehicle happened to be right behind at the time, struck the 14-year-old male in the head and killed him instantly,” says Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey.
The shooting is believed to be accidental, but the Rich County Sheriff’s office will investigate as though it were a homicide to ensure they cover all their bases.
“Then we turn our report over to the County Attorney,” says Sheriff Stacey. “And he decides what, if any, charges would be filed.”
Names of the victim, his family, or the family believed to have been shooting are not being released at this time.