The victim has been identified as 15 year old Tucker Thayer.
Officers from the St. George Police Department responded to a Medical Call at Desert Hills High School in Bloomington Hills just before 6:30 Saturday evening.
A possible gunshot was reported and a 15-year-old male was injured.
The school was preparing for the play “Oklahoma” and setting up all the required props and items needed to present the play. At approx 6:20 PM a loud noise was heard in the sound booth area above the stage. At that time a 15-year-old male student was found critically injured in the sound booth area. A blank firing prop pistol had been discharged injuring the male student.
The pistol was to be used not on stage, but in the sound booth as a sound effect.
The pistol was in the hands of the injured student when the discharge occurred. Authorities say the student died at 10 pm while been prepared to be airlifted from DRMC Medical Center to another hospital.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. The school canceled the showing of the play after the accident occurred.
Today the Washington County School District said that the administration and school resource officer approved the request to have the pistol prop used with certain conditions:
* The parent had to bring the gun to and from the school.
* The parent also had to discharge the blank and take the gun home every night.
* Police say the gun was kept in a lock box.
Students are setting up a fund for the family called "Thunder for Tucker" to help family pay for medical and funeral expenses. KCSG will let you know how to donate once the details are finalized.
Grief Counselors were at Desert Hills all day today and will also be available tomorrow.