Shooting Accident Claims Rains Teen
By TREY HILL
Rains County Leader staff
An accidental shooting claimed the life of a Rains County teenager on
Wednesday afternoon, March 12. Wesley Alan Pruitt, a 13-year-old student of
Rains Junior High, was enjoying his Spring Break at a friend’s house on CR
2130 when the incident took place. Rains County Justice of the Peace Don
Smith said that an autopsy report indicated that Pruitt died from a gunshot
wound. He added that an autopsy is required whenever a death occurs
from a gunshot.
Smith said the two boys had been out hunting the previous day and
were making plans to return to the field when the accident occurred. He
said that the boys thought the gun, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, was
unloaded and the friend ran the pump open to make sure the chamber was
empty. The JP said the friend then attempted a “dry fire” when the gun
went off, striking Pruitt in the forehead. “It’s a real terrible tragedy,” said
Smith. “Two good friends and two good families.”