Hunter Pedersen was an 11-year-old fifth-grader from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, who died on May 3, 2014, after being shot in the head during a family gathering at his grandparents’ home. His uncle, 34-year-old Chad Olm, was showing Hunter and another boy a gun collection and was demonstrating a Glock 27 with a laser sight; Olm allegedly pointed the laser at Hunter’s forehead. Investigators believe Hunter may have reached for the pistol before Olm pulled the trigger.

State police in Pike County arrested Chad Olm on homicide charges shortly after the incident. In court Olm pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child; he expressed remorse and urged safe firearm handling. The Wallenpaupack Area School District provided grief counseling for students and staff, and Hunter’s father, Robert Pedersen, spoke in court about the impact on the family.

Does anyone have additional details about the day of the gathering or about safety measures that might prevent similar tragedies?