Nicholas Bernard, an 18-year-old Liberty High School senior from Bedford, Virginia, died on January 8, 2019. Emergency services responded to a Wycliffe Street residence at about 12:43 a.m., where Bedford Police and Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies found him critically injured from what witnesses reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital and later died of his injuries.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office investigated and found no signs of criminal activity or involvement by others. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death an accident, and no arrests were made. Nicholas was remembered by family and classmates as loving, smart, athletic, and outgoing; grief support was offered to the school community.

If anyone knew Nicholas or has information about the events of that night, please share what you remember.