The death of Garrett Eugene Spaulding occurred following a tragic incident at his family's residence in Miller, Missouri. On the evening of July 29, 2017, the 10-year-old Caucasian male was outside with his parents and a sibling, assisting with the family's livestock. The group was attempting to corral a rooster back into its pen when the boy's father, who was carrying a small-caliber rifle, reportedly tripped and fell in the brush.
The fall caused the firearm to discharge accidentally, and the single round struck the child in the head.
Emergency services transported Garrett to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where medical staff attempted to treat his critical injuries. despite these efforts, he succumbed to the wound the following evening, passing away at 9:33 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2017. He was a student at the local Miller schools and was survived by his parents, Seth and April Spaulding, as well as two sisters.
Law enforcement officials from Lawrence County investigated the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The sheriff's department determined that the discharge of the weapon was unintentional, resulting from the father's fall while navigating the terrain. Authorities classified the event as an accidental shooting rather than a criminal act. Consequently, there were no arrests made, no suspects were sought in connection with the death, and no criminal charges were filed against the father or any other individuals involved in the incident.
