Hawaii island police are investigating an apparent shooting accident that fatally wounded a boy Sunday afternoon at Camp Honokaia, a Boy Scouts of America facility.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Hamakua patrol officers responded to the camp near Honokaa regarding an unconscious child following a shooting incident, according to police.
Both police and the Hawaii Fire Department found the child near the rifle range with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound.
The boy was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:55 p.m.
A coroner’s inquest investigation is underway by the Hawaii County Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Division.
Police said extensive interviews with all children and adults present are ongoing, and at this time, foul play is not suspected.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. Police did not disclose the age of the child.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning to determine the exact cause of death.
In a statement from the Boy Scouts of America, the organization called the incident a tragedy and said it is fully cooperating with authorities. It said it would have further comment as the investigation confirms more details.
“The Boy Scouts of America extends its sincere condolences to the family of the victim, Troop members and the Aloha Council,” the statement said.
Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth issued a written statement Monday regarding the fatal shooting.
“It was with heavy hearts that we learned of the tragic passing of one of our young boy scouts yesterday in Honokaʻa,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time of grieving, as we remain hopeful that they will one day find peace. No family should have to suffer the pain of losing a child, and we hope this incident can help increase firearm safety awareness so that other families will not have to suffer the same tragedy. With that, we’d like to ask all of our residents to keep the young man’s family in their thoughts as they face a new journey ahead.”
Camp Honokaia, between Honokaa and Waimea, is run by the Aloha Council Boy Scouts of America, and offers campsites, along with an archery range, rifle range and an adventure trail, according to a website.
Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at 808-961-2378 or Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300.
