Samuel Kenser was 15 when he died from a gunshot wound at his Aberdeen, South Dakota, home on February 21, 2015. Born October 14, 1999, in Beaumont, Texas, he moved to Aberdeen as a child and was a student at Frederick Public School where he stood out academically, especially in Math Counts, and played football, basketball, track, and baseball.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office investigated and ultimately determined the shooting to be accidental. No arrests or suspects were named. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church as family, friends, and classmates gathered to remember Sam and the promise he represented to the community.

If anyone knew Samuel, his routines, or has information about that day, please share what you remember.