On a crisp Christmas Eve morning in 2016, the lives of a Waverly, Iowa family were irrevocably changed. Kirk Hummel, a 47-year-old White male, was spending the day engaged in a pastime he enjoyed, hunting rabbits on his parents' farm in rural Butler County, near Allison. Accompanied by his wife, Kathleen, the outing was tragically cut short around 11:30 a.m.
In a devastating turn of events, a rifle that was being handled by his wife accidentally discharged.
The bullet struck Kirk, inflicting a fatal wound. Emergency services were called to the scene, and though he was quickly transported for medical help, he succumbed to the injury before reaching the hospital. The incident was a profound shock to his loved ones and the close-knit community.
Kirk was a long-time, respected employee at First National Bank in Waverly. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was tasked with investigating the circumstances of the shooting, which was widely reported as a hunting accident. There were no arrests made or suspects sought in connection with this tragic event, as all accounts pointed to a terrible and unforeseen accident that ended a man's life on what should have been a festive holiday. He was survived by his wife, children, mother, and siblings.
