Brother of teen shot at gun range calls it a 'freak' accident

A 14-year-old boy who died after being accidentally shot by his father at a Sarasota gun range was an outgoing, All-American boy, his brother said Monday.

Sarasota County Sheriff's deputies say William Brumby had just fired a round at the High Noon Gun Range on Bee Ridge Road when the spent shell casing deflected off the wall into his shirt. As he removed the casing from his shirt, detectives say he inadvertently pointed the firearm behind him and accidentally fired the gun, striking his 14-year-old son Stephen. 

The teen was transported to Sarasota Memorial hospital, where he died. 

The store was immediately closed after the incident.

The teen was with his father, his 24-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister. No one else was hurt. 

David Brumby, Stephen's brother, says his father started screaming for someone to call 911 and begging for his son not to leave him. Brumby called what happened a "freak one-in-a-million accident." 

"It's incredibly tough right now, but we know who to run to because the Lord is close to the broken hearted," he said. "My dad is alright, he has some stuff to work through, but i know that his faith and the support will carry him through," he said.

No charges are pending against William Brumby at this time, according to detectives. The Sarasota County Sheriff's department is investigating.

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