A 14-year-old girl fatally shot herself in front of a local sheriff’s deputy on the evening of Saturday, September 16.
Jaylee Chillson was at an outdoor party in Aurora, Kansas, after running away from her home earlier in the day.
The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office received a call that the girl had run away, and a deputy then tracked her down in an attempt to bring her home, reports KAKE-TV News.
After the deputy grabbed the girl, he tried to convince her to return home, but she then pulled out a firearm and fatally shot herself.
“A deputy responded to an outdoor party involving college and high school students that occurred near 210th R. and Lark Rd. in Aurora,” the Cloud County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
After the deputy located Chillson, “he escorted her to his patrol vehicle,” the department explained. She then “pulled out a firearm and shot herself. The deputy did not draw his firearm,” their statement reads.
The girl was pronounced dead at the scene just after midnight, despite life-saving measures by a deputy and an off-duty firefighter.
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In addition to the deputy who witnessed Chillson’s death, multiple partygoers witnessed the incident.
The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office has enlisted the help of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which has been asked to conduct a death investigation that will “ensure impartiality since their deputy was present during the shooting.”
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Chillson was born in Manhattan, Kansas, according to her obituary. She enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting, and softball was “another favorite activity.” Chillson also enjoyed riding with her father in a pickup truck and hoped to become a diesel mechanic. She is survived by her parents, four brothers and four grandparents.
A GoFundMe page was set up earlier this week to raise funds for Chillson’s funeral service.
“Your contribution, no matter how small, will ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on healing from this devastating loss,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Please donate today to help this grieving family. Your kindness will help them get through this heartbreaking journey and honor Jayleen’s memory.”
The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.
For more information on safe firearm storage and the most effective ways to protect children from unprotected firearms, visit BeSMARTforkids.org.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education