15 year old Tennessee boy kills himself with family gun

Matthew Daniels

A tragic shooting occurred in Tennessee when a 15 year old teen shot and killed himself with the family handgun. From an article:

Sweetwater Police Chief Eddie Byrum said in a news release that no foul play was suspected. Per procedure, Sweetwater police secured the weapon and the Monroe County District Attorney contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, who took over the investigation, he said.

Sgt. Marty Kyle said Matthew didn't intent to shoot himself.

"As best we can tell, there was nobody else there in the room, so he did shoot himself," Kyle said. "Apparently, based on everything we can find out, we have no sign that he was depressed or anything of that nature, so it looks like an accidental shooting."

Police did not specify the type of firearm involved in the shooting.

Sweetwater High School principal David Watts said students, staff and faculty planned to honor Matthew at school on Monday.

"Matthew's favorite color was purple and we're going purple on Monday and kids can dress in purple and we'll have purple ribbons," he said. "We'll also have counselors available."

The school also planned an assembly in Matthew's honor Sunday at 2 p.m., in the gym at the school, located at 414 S. High St., Sweetwater.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Thanks to our friend at the Ohh Shoot blog for alerting us to this incident.