Hunter Lee Cooper, a 15-year-old male from Pataskala, Ohio, tragically passed away on January 26, 2020. Hunter was involved in various activities such as Watkins Memorial Football, Warrior Rugby, and enjoyed hunting, camping, and working with computers. His unexpected death deeply affected his family and friends.
The circumstances surrounding Hunter's death involved his friend, Noah Bigham, also 15 years old at the time. On the day of Hunter's death, the two boys were playing a video game at Hunter's home. Bigham, who had a gun, pointed the laser at Hunter's eyes to distract him and accidentally pulled the trigger, not realizing the gun was loaded. This tragic accident resulted in Hunter's death.
Following the incident, Noah Bigham was charged with negligent homicide. He pleaded "admit" to the charge, which led to a sentence of probation without jail time. The court's decision included conditions such as house arrest, curfew, counseling, random drug and alcohol testing, school attendance, and no possession of weapons. The reduced charge and probation sentence were part of an agreement to avoid a trial.
Hunter's family, particularly his mother Amy Cooper and his older brother Austin Dempsey, expressed their grief and frustration over the outcome. Amy Cooper emphasized that the consequences for Hunter's death should be more severe, while Austin Dempsey conveyed his anger and sorrow over losing his brother.
The case has had a lasting impact on both families, with emotions still raw months after the incident. The community continues to remember Hunter for his bright future and the joy he brought to those around him.
