In the small town of Concordia, Kansas, a heartbreaking incident claimed the life of 14-year-old Mason Berk, a White male, on March 30, 2019. The community was left in mourning after the eighth-grade student at Concordia Junior High School was involved in a fatal firearm accident. On that Saturday afternoon, Mason was engaged in one of his favorite pastimes, trapshooting, when a gun accidentally discharged, striking him in the abdomen. He was rushed to the Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.
Mason, who had celebrated his fourteenth birthday just five days prior to the incident, was remembered as a quintessential teenage boy with a passion for the outdoors. His obituary paints a picture of a young man who loved hunting, country music, woodworking, and farming alongside his father. He was an active member of his community, participating in the Hill & Dale 4-H Club, the CHS Trap Club, FFA, and Pheasants Forever. His warm and goofy personality, coupled with a heart described as "bigger than life itself," left a lasting impression on his family and friends.
The Cloud County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting and confirmed that it was a tragic accident. There was no indication of foul play, and consequently, no arrests were made, and no suspects were named in connection with his death. The Concordia Public Schools administration and the wider community rallied to support Mason's grieving family, offering counseling and heartfelt condolences. His funeral was held at the Brown Grand Theatre, where friends and family gathered to honor the memory of a young life cut short. In a tribute to his laid-back nature, attendees were encouraged to dress casually in jeans and boots, just as Mason would have.
