Eleven-year-old Brentlee Eugene Crump of Scranton, South Carolina, died on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, after being struck by a shotgun blast while at a residence with his uncle, William Glen Richburg. Brentlee was a fifth-grade student at Scranton Elementary, enjoyed hunting, fishing and played for the O’Zone baseball team in Coward.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as a tragic accident: Richburg had reportedly fired at a tree, and later, while holding the shotgun by his side, the weapon discharged for reasons that remain unclear. The projectile struck Brentlee, who suffered a fatal wound. Authorities opened an investigation and said the shooting was being treated as unintentional; an autopsy was planned and no charges had been filed at the time of the initial reports.

The community was left mourning this sudden loss. If anyone witnessed the incident or has information that could help investigators, please come forward.