The San Benito High School community was rocked Monday by news
that one of their own died Saturday when a freshman football player
was shot in the head by another student while they were taking
target practice.
Hollister – The San Benito High School community was rocked Monday by news that one of their own died Saturday when a freshman football player was shot in the head by another student while they were taking target practice.
SBHS Freshman Christopher Gray, 15, and another unnamed 15-year-old SBHS student were target shooting in the Aromas area of Monterey County Saturday when the unidentified boy’s .22-caliber rifle accidentally discharged and a bullet struck Gray in the head, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Mike Brassfield declined to release the name of the other boy because he is a minor.
Following the accident, Gray’s companion used a cell phone to call authorities. By the time Monterey sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene Gray was dead, according to the Monterey Sheriff’s Office. Though the incident is believed to have been an accidental shooting at this time and police do no suspect foul play, it is still under investigation, according to the Monterey Sheriff’s Office. When the investigation is finished, it will be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The official cause of death was a gun shot wound to the head, according to the Monterey County coroner.
Gray was shot at close range, but Monterey County sheriff’s investigators have not yet determined if the gun discharged on its own or if the other boy pulled the trigger. Both boys had .22-caliber rifles, Brassfield said.
Gray’s parents, Malcohm and Vicky Gray, could not be reached Monday. Malcohm Gray is a commander with the Monterey Sheriff’s Office and Vicki Gray is a sergeant with the Salinas Police Department, according to Brassfield.
Word that Gray, a football player, had been killed came as a shock to many at SBHS.
“It’s just devastating,” Principal Debbie Padilla said. “This is a terrible accident that affects everybody at the high school site whether they’re a student or not.”
Freshman Sam Doty, who played with Gray this last season on the school’s freshman football team, said that he saw and chatted with Gray nearly every school day, and that it was strange not to have him around on Monday.
“It’s really awkward. Today I didn’t get to see him,” he said. “He’s a really nice guy.”
Doty said that Gray was a good person and had a lot of skill and potential to go far as a football player.
“I feel really sad,” he said. “I wish he had more time since he was so young and had so many opportunities and dreams. He was a really good football player.”
Dr. Jean Burns Slater, superintendent of SBHS, said that she heard about Gray’s death on Sunday and informed teachers and school staff on Monday. Teachers were tasked with sharing the news with students.
“The first thing that happens is you want to support the students and teachers who know the young person,” she said.
Burns Slater said that the school had grief counselors and had dedicated a room to students who needed help dealing with the harsh reality of losing a classmate and friend.
“These are very, very tragic situations,” she said.
Plans for a funeral service have not been announced.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
