Zachary Rock, an 11-year old boy died in a gun accident in Clay Township, Michigan at a “youth deer hunting event.” The boy was shot by his stepfather and died at the hospital. While police were at the scene, the boy’s mother accidentally discharged a gun while attempting to unload it and was struck in the hand. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.
According to a report, the event was specifically organized for young people to hunt accompanied by an adult. The boy’s stepfather has been arrested and is being held on charges that were unspecified at the time of the original reports.
UPDATE:
In June 2021, prosecutors opened arguments in the trial of Rock’s stepfather, John Varndell, Jr. on charges of “involuntary manslaughter, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, two felony firearms second offense charges and a habitual fourth violent offender.”
According to the prosecutor: “Safety precautions weren’t taken for the hunt, including the wearing of hunter’s orange. Varndell decided to go off on his own, not knowing where the rest of the group was. In the dark, where the group could only see using flashlights and cell phones, Varndell fired eight shots.” He told the jury, “[y]ou’re going to hear about eight shots that went ringing out through those woods; how one of those shots went right through Zachary’s head.”
Varndell’s defense attorney responded: “This might have been one of the greatest days of Zachary Rock’s life. He was on vacation, he was visiting family. He went out playing twice that day with a stepfather. He was with people that he loved, doing something that presumably he liked to do. And it turned into an unspeakable tragedy.” The defense lawyer concluded: “… it’s an accident, that’s what it is. It’s not a crime.”
Sources:
“11-year-old Boy Killed in Hunting Accident in Clay Township,” The Voice (September 14, 2020).
Dane Kelly, “2 Shot at Youth Deer Hunting Event in St. Clair County,” ClickOn Detroit (September 14, 2020).
Laura Fitzgerald and Brian Wells, “Trial Starts for Man Accused of Killing Stepson in Hunting Incident,” Port Huron Times Herald (June 28, 2021).