A sleepover in the tiny community of Quick, West Virginia, ended in tragedy on the night of December 22, 2013. Ten-year-old Payton McKenzie-Bea Thomas was spending the night at a grandparents’ house on Pentacre Road when she and a nine-year-old friend secretly took a .410 shotgun from the home. While walking down the road, the firearm discharged. Payton, who was walking behind the other child, was struck in the arm and chest. The shot caused catastrophic internal injuries to her lungs, spleen, and liver.

Payton was taken to Charleston General Hospital and died early on the morning of December 23, 2013. Authorities described the incident as a tragic accident and did not identify any criminal suspects or make arrests. Payton was a third-grade student at Ruffner Elementary who enjoyed the outdoors, basketball, and hiking with her father.

Did anyone in the Quick area know Payton or have information about that night?