Update:15 Year Boy Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Chatting With Friend
Update:15 Year Boy Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Chatting With Friend
A 15-year-old Lynwood boy is dead after he accidentally shot himself while on FaceTime with a friend.
According to ABC 7,
Blake Hannett died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on
Thursday night after a gun accidentally went off, police said. He was
talking with a friend on FaceTime when the screen went blank. Police
responded to the home in the 2700-block of Lake Park Drive in Lynwood
and found the teenager at his desk with a .38 caliber handgun on the
floor under his chair, officials said.
Hannett’s family said the teenager heard a noise
and searched the home with the family gun for an intruder, as they say
there had been a suspicious person in the neighborhood lately. They said
the gun went off as he put it down in his room.
The parents of Hannett said are proud of their son and his achievements – and say Friday would have been his 16th birthday.
In the chapel at Marian Catholic High School,
photos of Hannett showcase his charismatic personality. He was a
sophomore, played the trumpet in the school’s marching band, and was
well-known for his smile.
“He was a wonderful kid, a top-notch kid, the
kind of kid that really represented our school and we’re just terribly
hurt by his loss,” said Marian Catholic High School Principal Steve
Tortorello.
“There are leaders who just change the spirit, he
was one of the guys,” said Marian Catholic Band Director Greg Bimm.
“His smile changed us all.”
Hannet was home in the family’s residence in
Lynwood by himself, talking to a friend on a video chat when the gun
went off. The friend on the other end of the chat called 911.
“When we went to his house and I saw the
ambulance. There was something in my mind saying that he was gonna be
okay,” said family friend Lance Davis Jr.
They set up a memorial area in the school with
candles and photos. Many of his classmates and teachers are recalling
his sense of humor and smile.
“Blake was a solid student who always brought
life to the classroom. He’s the kind of kid that you knew was in class
that day because he was a bright and friendly kid,” said Principal Steve
Tortorello.
“We’ve lost a very, very valuable asset to our
community, one that we were ready to lift up as one of the great example
of what our community can raise and produce,” said Bishop Lance Davis.
That tender age makes it difficult at Marian High School, where they ended the day with a prayer service to remember Hannett.
“Anytime you have such a wonderful person like
that be taken by such a tragic event, it hurts, it hits everybody in the
gut,” Tortorello said.
