Puyallup teen killed by accidental shotgun shooting
Feb 6, 2014, 6:29 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2014, 12:00 pm
Police say Eddie Zee was accidentally shot when he and his friends were playing with a gun Thursday. (Photo: Holmes Family)
(Photo: Holmes Family)
A 13-year-old boy is dead after he was accidentally shot when he and his friends were playing with a shotgun Thursday in Puyallup.
The family released a statement Friday morning:
“Our hearts are broken at the tragic loss of our dear Eddie Zee. Life is a gift from God and we thank Him for each day he blessed us with Eddie Zee. Eddie was a wonderful son- very loving and caring. He enjoyed being with his big brother Jose, his dog Buddy, and playing video games. Our prayers are with the families that are also involved. Legislators need to pass a law against gun violence in America. Our prayers are also with all families that have lost a loved one by gun violence. We would like to thank the Puyallup Police Department for their support and everyone who have prayed and/or called to lift us up.”
The Holmes Family
Police say the shooting happened when four young boys were playing in a residence after school without adult supervision. The boy who lived there pulled out a shotgun and displayed it to the others. A second grabbed the gun and it discharged, hitting the victim.
Captain Scott Engle says the juveniles immediately called for help and medics and police were called to the scene. They found the teen suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest. One of the other young men was performing CPR when they arrived.
The victim died at Tacoma General Hospital.
“Everybody all the way around is extremely upset. It’s a very traumatic incident for everyone involved. Just an extreme tragedy for essentially four boys that were hanging out together,” Engle says.
The shooting in the 500 block of 11th Street Southeast is being treated as accidental and the investigation continues. Any potential charges will be determined by the Pierce County Prosecutor.
