Cameron Eugene Bentley, an 11-year-old boy from Springfield, Illinois, tragically passed away on March 12, 2022. Cameron, who was born on October 2, 2010, was the son of Kayla M. Tomizoli and Brandon E. Bentley. He was known for his love of watching YouTube videos, anime, and playing video games like Fortnite and Roblox. Cameron had a big heart and was described as wanting to be friends with everyone he met.
On the afternoon of March 12, 2022, Cameron Eugene Bentley was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a likely accidental shooting. The incident occurred at a home in the 700 block of West Monroe Street in Springfield. According to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon, Cameron died from a single shotgun wound to the chest. He was taken to HSHS St. John's Hospital emergency room by ambulance and was pronounced dead at 3:23 p.m. that day.
The investigation into Cameron's death revealed that he was shot by another 11-year-old boy. Springfield police, led by Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Joshua Stuenkel, indicated that the shooting appeared to be accidental. The specifics of how the firearm was accessed by the children were not detailed, but it was clear that the gun was accessible to them in some manner. Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright stated that his office was in contact with the Springfield police during the investigation and that no charges had been filed at the time. Wright emphasized that a thorough review would be conducted upon receipt of all related police reports.
Cameron's death was a heartbreaking incident that highlighted the dangers of accessible firearms in homes. The community mourned the loss of a young boy who had a bright future ahead of him. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death continued, with authorities focusing on understanding how the firearm was obtained and whether any measures could have been taken to prevent such a tragedy.
