Times Record News
By Jo Gray/Correspondent
April 22, 2004
NOCONA (Special) - "We still don't know what happened. It
was an accident."
Cindy Russell spoke about the shooting that took the life
of her 13-year-old son Monday.
Michael Lynn Russell, son of Tracy and Cindy Russell, was
bird hunting with an 11-year-old cousin when the fatal shooting occurred at
the Lone Star Hereford Ranch in Clay County.
Cindy Russell said her brother works at the ranch and was
accompanying the children when it happened. She said her brother and the
cousin heard shots.
Michael was killed by a gunshot wound to the back of the
head, said Clay County Sheriff David Hanes. The investigation of the death
should be completed soon, he said.
An avid hunter, Michael was a member of the Spanish Fort
Coon Hunters Association, his mother said.
"He knew about gun safety and knew how to handle a gun," she
said.
Michael was also very involved in school activities and
sports, especially track.
Middle School Principal Norman Waters said Michael was "a
good kid, successful in sports and well liked by his classmates and
teachers."
He was also well liked by members of the Bible Baptist
Church where he served as an usher, Cindy Russell said.
Cindy Russell said her son often visited her brother and
enjoyed hunting at the ranch.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at the Middle School Gym
with the Rev. Les Ryan officiating.
Copyright 2004, Times Record News. All Rights Reserved.
