Target practice turns fatal after gun malfunction. Kentucky 9-year-old shot in chest
A young child has died after being accidentally shot when a gun malfunctioned on Monday, Kentucky State Police said.
Jeremiah Fox, a 9-year-old Beattyville resident, was flown to University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center after he was accidentally shot while target practicing with friends and family, police said. He died in the emergency room just before 7 p.m., according to the Fayette County coroner’s office.
The Richmond Post of KSP said it was contacted by Lee County 911 just before 6 p.m. Monday. Detectives responded to the scene of the shooting on Fox Hollow Road in Beattyville. The Lee County sheriff’s office and Lee County emergency medical Services also responded to the scene.
KSP said the initial investigation showed that the gun malfunctioned and fired on accident, and the bullet hit Fox in the chest. A state police detective and the Fayette coroner’s office were investigating.
Fox’s family has organized a GoFundMe to raise money to help pay for funeral and tombstone expenses, according to the page.
“His loss is almost more than we can bear so please help us with one less worry on our minds,” the page read.
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 7:57 AM.