Anthony Yates
A 9th-grade student was fatally injured on a field trip in Provo Canyon last week. Authorities say they died from “what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot.”
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What happened: According to a report by FOX 13, the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 24. The student attended the Canyon View Junior High School and was on a trip to South Fork Park.
- According to a press release by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, the 9th-grader reportedly shot themselves. Emergency services airlifted the student to a local hospital, but they succumbed to their injuries.
- Many details about the incident remain unclear, and the school has not released the victim’s identity. Per FOX 13, no other students were injured in the shooting, and authorities have not said where the student acquired a gun or how they were able to bring it on the trip.
- The press release explains that the Alpine School District has counseling services available for staff and students who witnessed the incident. “We appreciate the partnership and cooperation with all our community partners as we investigate this tragic incident,” the post concludes.
Authorities Believe The Field Trip Incident Was Deliberate
A school statement: According to a report by KSL, the incident occurred at around 1 PM. Per witness accounts, authorities believe the shooting was deliberate.
- School administrators reportedly sent an email to parents of Canyon View Junior High School students. It outlined counseling services, which would remain available to “students and families for as long as needed.”
- The school held classes as usual on Thursday and Friday, but cancelled Thursday’s parent-teacher conferences. Per Gephardt Daily, Sgt. Raymond Ormand said, “We’re not releasing the age or gender at this point, and our investigators and the family have both asked that we don’t release the name now.
Another school firearm incident: Authorities in Florida arrested a mom last month after a teacher discovered a gun in a student’s bag.
- The Clay County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the incident occurred on August 13 at Coppergate Elementary School. A teacher found the weapon and notified the police.
- Investigators determined that the child’s parents do not live together. The mom reportedly placed the gun in the student’s backpack and asked him to give it to his father. The dad picked up his son for the school run, but was unaware that the weapon was in the bag; thus, it ended up in the school.
- Officers arrested the mom and charged her with child neglect and giving a firearm to a minor.
