Selena Seleste Lewis, a 16-year-old girl from Newton, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on July 26, 2015. Selena was a rising junior at Maiden High School and was described as a beloved member of her community. On the day of her death, Selena was at a home in Newton with her boyfriend, 21-year-old Christopher Lynch, and his friend, 21-year-old Clayton Webb Jr. The group was there for Webb to check out a rifle that was for sale.
According to reports, Webb did not realize the rifle was loaded because it did not have a magazine attached. As Selena stood in front of Webb to take a picture of him, the gun fired and struck her in the chest. Despite efforts to save her, Selena succumbed to her injuries before she could be transported to a trauma center.
The incident was ruled an accidental shooting by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Webb stated that he did not know there was a round in the chamber, and the gun's owner had left the rifle in his truck for Webb to inspect. The shooting occurred around 5 p.m., and neighbors reported hearing a "pop" followed by a scream. Selena was taken to a local hospital, but she died before a helicopter could transport her to a trauma center.
No charges were filed against Clayton Webb Jr. or Christopher Lynch in connection with Selena's death. The authorities concluded that the shooting was accidental, and there was no evidence of foul play. The tragic incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety and the need to always treat firearms as if they are loaded.
