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Seventeen-year-old Michael DiGiovanni of Bartlett died Wednesday after he was fatally shot during a hunting trip near Rockford.
According to Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel, DiGiovanni, a 14-year-old and 18-year-old were hunting squirrels at a designated hunting spot when the 14-year-old saw a squirrel while sitting around a campfire that morning. He grabbed his shot gun and inadvertantly realized he was pointing it at DiGiovanni who was lying on the ground. As the shooter moved to point the gun away from him, it accidentally discharged stricking DiGiovanni in the back.
He was transported to Freeport Memorial Hospital by Forreston Ambulance Service where he was pronounced dead.
According to Tom Leamon, Coroner for Stephenson County, DiGiovani died of a severe gunshot wound to the right chest determined from an autopsy completed Friday.
Beitel said the boys had permission to hunt on the property and both DiGiovani and the 14-year-old had valid Firearm Owners Identification cards.
Ogle County Sheriff's Office and the Illinois Conservation Police are currently investigating the accident but said no hunting violations have been discovered.
In a statement, Breitel said "this incident appears to have been a tragic accident involving two friends."
DiGiovanni was a junior at South Elgin High School. According to John Heiderscheidt, District Safety Coordinator for U-46, a crisis response team was activated over the holiday weekend in which counselors met with staff to better help students with their grief. Students will have the opportunity to meet with counselors this week.
Heiderscheidt said that no immediate plans have been made for a memorial.
"We're always open to what the family wishes," he said. "We're here to support the family."
Visitation for DiGiovanni will be Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 950 S. Bartlett Road.
Seventeen-year-old Michael DiGiovanni of Bartlett died Wednesday after he was fatally shot during a hunting trip near Rockford.
According to Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel, DiGiovanni, a 14-year-old and 18-year-old were hunting squirrels at a designated hunting spot when the 14-year-old saw a squirrel while sitting around a campfire that morning. He grabbed his shot gun and inadvertantly realized he was pointing it at DiGiovanni who was lying on the ground. As the shooter moved to point the gun away from him, it accidentally discharged stricking DiGiovanni in the back.
He was transported to Freeport Memorial Hospital by Forreston Ambulance Service where he was pronounced dead.
According to Tom Leamon, Coroner for Stephenson County, DiGiovani died of a severe gunshot wound to the right chest determined from an autopsy completed Friday.
Beitel said the boys had permission to hunt on the property and both DiGiovani and the 14-year-old had valid Firearm Owners Identification cards.
Ogle County Sheriff's Office and the Illinois Conservation Police are currently investigating the accident but said no hunting violations have been discovered.
In a statement, Breitel said "this incident appears to have been a tragic accident involving two friends."
DiGiovanni was a junior at South Elgin High School. According to John Heiderscheidt, District Safety Coordinator for U-46, a crisis response team was activated over the holiday weekend in which counselors met with staff to better help students with their grief. Students will have the opportunity to meet with counselors this week.
Heiderscheidt said that no immediate plans have been made for a memorial.
"We're always open to what the family wishes," he said. "We're here to support the family."
Visitation for DiGiovanni will be Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 950 S. Bartlett Road.
