Kyler Daughtry was a 14-year-old student at Lake Alfred-Addair Middle School who died on November 28, 2016, from a single, devastating gunshot wound while at the Lakmar Motel in Winter Haven, Florida. He had been living at the motel with his mother, Sandra Rosson. Kyler was handling a 12-gauge shotgun owned by fellow resident Robert Fugate along with two friends, 19-year-old Donovan Hoover and 16-year-old Dylan Prosser.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Donovan had shown the shotgun to Kyler and Dylan and then left the room. Dylan reportedly attempted to demonstrate how to load the shotgun, the firearm discharged, and Kyler was fatally wounded. Investigators concluded the shotgun was not malfunctioning and described the shooting as accidental, attributing it to the teenagers’ lack of knowledge and experience in handling firearms. Both Donovan and Dylan were reported as shocked and dazed when deputies arrived.

The community and Kyler’s school were left heartbroken; he was remembered as sweet and well-liked. The sheriff’s office said the investigation would take several months as authorities considered whether criminal charges were appropriate.

Does anyone have information about Kyler, the motel, or the people involved that could help clarify what happened that afternoon?