In the small town of Guilford, New York, a young life was tragically cut short on December 22, 2017. Brandon Palmatier, a 16-year-old male, died from an accidental shooting. The incident occurred at a residence on County Route 35 in Guilford. Another 16-year-old male was responsible for the accidental discharge of the firearm that led to Palmatier's death.
Brandon, born on February 27, 2001, in Sidney, New York, was a junior at Bainbridge-Guilford High School.
He was an active and industrious young man. At a young age, he started a business raising chickens and selling eggs. In 2015, he established his own maple syrup business called the Palmatier Sugar Shack. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Guilford Fire Department, a role he undertook as soon as he turned 16.
Known for his love of the outdoors, Brandon enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, snowmobiling, and riding anything with a motor. His sudden death was a profound loss for his family and the close-knit community. The New York State Police investigated the incident and confirmed that Palmatier was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation concluded that the shooting was accidental, and no criminal charges were pursued against the other teenager involved. A scholarship fund was established in Brandon's memory at the Guilford Fire Department for students pursuing a degree in conservation or agriculture.
