Teen dies in prop pistol accident
November 15th, 2008 @ 11:59pm
(KSL News) A teenager died after he was injured by a blank-firing prop pistol at a St. George high school preparing for a play.
Captain Bruce Graham of the St. George Police Department said in a news release that Desert Hills High School in Bloomington Hills was preparing for the play "Oklahoma!" and setting up all the required props. Around 6:20, a loud noise was heard in the sound booth area above the stage.
Police say a 17-year-old boy apparently was holding a blank-firing prop pistol when it discharged. Graham told the Deseret News that even though prop pistols don't fire a projectile, they still emit energy.
The teen was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center. The Spectrum reports he died while medical personnel prepared to airlift him to another hospital.
Police continue to investigate the incident. The school canceled the showing of the play after the accident occurred.
A 15-year-old St. George high school student is dead, killed by a gun used in a school musical. The gun was loaded with blanks, and was being used for sound effects.
Police say Tucker Thayer was setting up for the musical at Desert Hills High School when the gunshot rang out. He was found lying on the ground with severe head injuries.
Officers are still investigating how this happened. Thayer's parents didn't want to talk on camera, but they told us a real gun should not have been allowed in the school.
Thayer was part of the tech crew for the high school's production of "Oklahoma!" Friends say he was proud of his role.
"In fact, that's all he was talking about, that he was part of the production," Thayer's neighbor, Brett Jensen, said.
Thayer was by the stage Saturday night, preparing for the show. Police say other students nearby heard a loud bang, but no one saw what happened. Investigators say a gun, loaded with blanks, discharged.
"The gases, the pressure that it would build up, such a close proximity where the gun was pointed at the individual's head, caused the injury," explained St. George police Sgt. James Van Fleet.
Police say the school allowed the production crew to use the gun for sound effects during the musical. "It was determined that a responsible adult would be supervising the use of the weapon at all times," Van Fleet said.
Thayer's family says the teen knew a lot about guns. He was a certified range instructor for the Boy Scouts. But his parents don't think he knew the dangers of blanks.
"He had a heart of gold, and he would do anything for you; and if you asked him for help, he'd bend over backwards to get it done," Jensen said.
Police are investigating whether there was enough supervision.
It's details like this that confuse people and provide more fuel for the antis.Thayer's family says the teen knew a lot about guns. He was a certified range instructor for the Boy Scouts. But his parents don't think he knew the dangers of blanks.
I went to the range this weekend and was APAULD at this guy’s firearm safety. He was showing me his .22 caliber Ruger Mark II because I am interested in getting one. While he was showing me his firearm, the muzzle was pointed right at my gut. I asked the guy nicely to please point his muzzle downrange. His reply was "its unloaded I am out of ammo" my response was "I understand, however it doesn't matter, treat every firearm as if it were loaded". His face was priceless. I was shocked. Point being, firearm safety is a must.
That's why there are courses too take, starting off with..............Basic Gun.One bad thing about so many new people getting firearms, a lot of them don't have any idea of proper handling. It would be nice if anyone who bought a gun had to at least fire a few rounds and be shown how to properly load and unload it. At least now, with all the carry permits being applied for, quite a few people will receive at least minimum instruction - hopefully!
That's why there are courses too take, starting off with..............Basic Gun.
capo2126, was this an Open To The Public range? From what You described, this person has no idea on "safety" whatso-ever. This person should have been reported to the proper official at the Range. And NO, You are not squealing on Him, but instead making the official aware that there are Some who do not know the first thing with a firearm........Safety! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the guy you mentioned is an idiot (well, Maybe he is), but You did your part telling him (educating) where the muzzel should be pointed and he could have just acknowledged His error, but instead comes back with " it's not loaded; I'm out of ammo" for an answer.....duuuhhhh McFly??!!!
The person in charge of prop's at the theater should have educated the person/s who was in direct contact with the weapon. As My sig. says........My opinion.........
Saying "it's unloaded" doesn't heal gunshot wounds caused by gross negligence. This guy would know better if he had gotten anything out of his years of practice.This range is not open to the public. Members only. This was a much older gentleman than I who has been shooting a long time (from what he told me). He is a member at the club. I didn't say anything to the range officer, I wish I did. He said "it’s unloaded" but still; do not point your firearm at me. Whenever I load, un-load, put away, take out, handle, touch, anything to my firearms at the range, my muzzle is always pointed down range. I value safety more than anything with firearms. I hate the accidents that occur that injure or kill someone as well as hurt our hobby because someone was carless. If you are a responsible firearm owner, you are less likely to have something negligible happen. My opinion.
It would be nice if anyone who bought a gun had to at least fire a few rounds and be shown how to properly load and unload it.
Be careful - that sounds suspiciously like gun control. Next thing you know, we'll be requireing that people take safety courses and buy gun safes.
I really like the idea of your child having his own "gun safe." What an interesting way to teach kids about firearms safety. Can you explain a little more about how you introduced him to guns and taught him about the dangers?
I'm curious because I've always been a little unsure about how to teach my kids how serious gun safety is. I don't have any kids yet, but I know that when I do there will be guns in the house.
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