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FRUIT HEIGHTS, Davis County — A 15-year-old Davis County boy was hospitalized in "very critical condition" Saturday after accidentally shooting himself while at a firing range with his father.
The boy was shooting a .45-caliber handgun at the Wahsatch Shooters Association Public Shooting Range just before 5 p.m. when he fell, discharging the weapon and shooting himself in the head, Davis County Sheriff's Sgt. Susan Poulsen said.
"According to witnesses on scene, it looks like he was sitting at the target benches and standing and shooting and he went to sit down," Poulsen said, explaining that the seats on the benches swing. "The swing had swung out of the way. He didn't have a place to sit and he fell back ... the gun accidentally discharged."
Poulsen said there was a doctor at the range who immediately began to administer CPR. The boy was ultimately transported by medical helicopter to University Hospital, where he was taken surgery.
"He is in very critical condition," she said.
There were apparently a number of witnesses at the range at the time. The boy was shooting with his father.
"The father is very distraught, understandably," Poulsen said. "At this time it's a very sad and unfortunate accident and the sheriff's office just wishes the family our best."
The Davis County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
"(Investigators) will continue to investigate until they come up with an absolute determination on what the cause was," Poulsen said.
Email: emorgan@ksl.com
