Teen killed in Vernon County hunting accident

Pronounced dead at the scene.

A 17-year-old hunter has died from an accidental shooting in Vernon County.  

It happened shortly after 7:30 Sunday morning as two teens, 15 and 17 were going hunting on private land at Pisgah Road East of State Highway 131 in the Town of Whitestown.

As the two were preparing for the hunt and getting out of a vehicle, the gun fired.  

Police said he was shot in the “side/chest area” by the .22 pistol.

The 17-year-old was declared dead at the scene. 

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has not said exactly how the shooting occurred, or who was carrying the gun.

The victim’s name has not been released.  

The accident remains under investigation by the Department of Natural Resources.