An 11-year-old boy died from an accidental gunshot wound to the chest Wednesday near Kamas, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said.
Sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Wright said the incident happened at approximately 5:45 p.m. in a residence off S.R. 248. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the boy, later identified as Cash Cover, and his older brother accessed a handgun from a bedroom inside their home. Details about how the accident happened were not released.
The Sheriff’s Office initially reported that Cover was 10 years old.
Deputies on the scene performed life-saving efforts, according to the Sheriff’s Office, but Cover died before a medical helicopter that was summoned could fly him to a hospital.
Cover’s family released a prepared statement through the Sheriff’s Office thanking the community for its support.
“Our son Cash Cover lost his life in a tragic accident involving a gun,” the family said. “The injury was not self-inflicted. We truly appreciate the outpouring of love and support from our community and friends. We would like to thank all of the amazing people that assisted him including all the Emergency Responders, Life Flight and Summit County officials that did everything they could to help him.”
The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it “is heartbroken over the passing of Cash, and we mourn with the Cover family.”