In Augusta, Georgia, a promising young life was cut tragically short on October 7, 2016. Michael Caleb McNatt, a 13-year-old Caucasian male, was at a friend's home on Dove Roven Road when a day of youthful play took a devastating turn. He and a group of friends, all around the ages of 12 and 13, were handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking Michael. Emergency services were called, and he was rushed to Augusta University Medical Center, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
Michael, a native and lifelong resident of the Augusta area, was a student at Pine Hill Middle School, where he was a member of the school band, playing the oboe. Known for his love of basketball, music, swimming, and video games, he also cherished spending time outdoors with his siblings. His family, including his parents Stacy Marie Cook and Matthew Curtis McNatt, and the grandparents who raised him, Roscoe and Donna Cook, remembered him as a beloved son and grandson. In a touching tribute, his family requested that those attending his funeral service wear red, his favorite color.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting. According to Sheriff's Lt. Allan Rollins, the investigation concluded that the shooting was a tragic accident that occurred while the children were playing with the gun. As a result, the incident was not classified as a homicide, and no charges were filed in connection with Michael's death. The community mourned the loss of a young life, a somber reminder of the potential dangers of firearms when accessible to children.
