RIP To Teen Hunter Shot In S.J. Valley

I was on vacation when this news broke, so sorry for posting it so late. But a teenage hunter from Exeter, a tiny town near Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley, was tragically killed in a hunting accident earlier this month.

The Visalia-Times Delta on the terrible accident:

Luke Burns, 16, an Exeter Union High Schoolstudent, was hunting with family and friends just before 8 a.m. near Horse Meadow when he wandered in front of hunters. He was hidden behind some brush when another hunter fired and struck the boy in the torso.

Family and friends tried to give CPR and first aid, later rushing the boy to the California Hot Springs Ranger station, where he died.

Luke is a twin. He is survived by his brother Levi.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Departments Violent Crimes Unit were called to investigate the shooting, which they called an accident.

The Sheriff’s Department is using the incident to bring words of caution to hunters.

“The Sheriff’s Department would like to take this time to remind hunters during this hunting season to practice good firearm safety measures,” according to a statement. “Know the direction you are shooting, what you are shooting at and what your shooting backstop is.”

Condolences to the young man’s family and friends.