Hunter Lee Cooper was a 15-year-old from Pataskala, Ohio, who died on January 26, 2020. He played football at Watkins Memorial, was on the Warrior Rugby team, and enjoyed hunting, camping, and working with computers. His death is described as the result of a firearm discharge that occurred while he was at home playing a video game with a friend.

The friend, 15-year-old Noah Bigham, had a gun and reportedly pointed a laser sight at Hunter’s eyes to distract him, then accidentally pulled the trigger not knowing the weapon was loaded. Bigham was charged with negligent homicide and entered an admit plea; the case was resolved with probation and conditions including house arrest, curfew, counseling, random drug and alcohol testing, required school attendance, and no weapons possession.

Hunter’s mother, Amy Cooper, and his older brother, Austin Dempsey, publicly expressed grief and frustration at the sentence and the loss of Hunter. The community continues to mourn him and remember his plans and personality.