An Ocean Springs teenager was killed Friday in what authorities say was a fatal hunting accident in Carroll County.
Hayden Bonta, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene by Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
The accident occurred near County Road 163 in the Black Hawk area, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Department.
Bonta was hunting for deer in the area with friends from Ocean Springs when the accident occurred around 5:30 p.m., Stiles said. It appeared that Bonta’s gun discharged as he was exiting a tree stand and the bullet from the bolt-action hunting rifle fatally struck the teen, Stiles said.
When two teenage friends discovered Bonta’s body at the base of the tree stand, one tried to administer CPR and the other went for help to the hunting camp where the three and others were staying, Stiles said.
“There was nothing anyone could do."
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Sheriff’s Department are conducting an investigation, but the shooting appears to have been accidental, according to the release from the Sheriff’s Department.
“Our prayers are certainly with the Bonta family and their friends during this tragic time,” said Sheriff Clint Walker. “The death of a teenager is never easy. I ask all of our citizens to hold this family up in prayer in coming days.”
Bonta was a student at Ocean Springs High School. In a Facebook post Saturday, the Ocean Springs School District described him as “a sweet young gentleman with a sense of humor and a love for nature.”
Stiles said Bonta’s parents had his body taken to Jackson so that the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency could harvest organs or tissue that could help others.
Funeral services for Bonta will be held at First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Geiger Family Cemetery in Collins. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
- Contact Tim Kalich at 662-581-7243 or tkalich@gwcommonwealth.com.
