A young student has died after shooting themselves dead with a gun they brought to a field trip.
Ninth graders at Canyon View Junior High were on a class outing to South Fork Park at Provo Canyon on September 24.
The unidentified student pulled the trigger on a weapon that they’d brought from home in front of their teachers and classmates.
According to a statement from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, the unnamed student was ‘fatally injured’ from the self-inflicted gun shot.
They were quickly airlifted to the hospital and their parents were notified, but the student died from their injuries shortly after.
As soon as the shot rang out, staff members called emergency services and moved the other students away from the scene. No one else was harmed.
According to Fox 13, school was dismissed early that day and more than 300 students took school busses up to the canyon.
The Sheriff’s office said: ‘The tragic incident is still actively investigated by Utah County Sheriff Office Detectives, and we will not be releasing the name of the student at this time.’
A ninth grade student from Canyon View Junior High shot and killed themselves in front of their classmates Wednesday
Utah County Sheriff ruled the students death as a suicide and are investigating why they were allowed access to a firearm and what lead to such a tragic death
Ninth grader and witness Ian Campbell described the moments leading up to the shooting to ABC 4.
He said: ‘I remember I was playing spike ball with my friend, and then I just heard a loud pop.
‘I didn’t think much of it, but eventually, I saw that a lot of people were running, and I saw that a lot of teachers rushed over.’
He said it happened as they were wrapping up to leave.
Classes continued as usual the following Thursday and Friday, but parent conferences that were supposed to take place in the evening were cancelled.
A group of middle schoolers have already set up a memorial with flowers, signs, and candles to honor their fallen classmate.
Students from Canyon View Junior High had been released early from school that day to enjoy the autumn weather at South Fork Park (stock image)
Students from the school already set up memorials for their fallen classmate
In a statement obtained by the Daily Herald, the school said: ‘We are heartbroken as a school district at the passing of one of our students today, a 9th grader who went to Canyon View Junior High.
‘We offer deepest condolences to the student’s family and friends.’
The school district will be offering counseling services to all students and teachers for as long as they’re needed in order to help them process the traumatic violence.
Alpine School district said: ‘We are working with law enforcement, medical personnel, and counseling experts to navigate this tragic situation.’
Police have asked some witnesses preliminary questions, but they are being given time to grieve before being interrogated for the ongoing investigation.
The investigation hopes to reveal where the student got the firearm and what led to them killing themselves so publicly.
Daily Mail reached out to Utah County Sherriff’s Office and Alpine School District for comment.
