Sunday, September 11, 2011
By Holly Meyer, Rapid City Journal
A 13-year-old girl was killed after she tripped and the shotgun
she was carrying went off in her face during a dove hunting trip
near New Underwood on Friday afternoon, according to Meade County
Sheriff Ron Merwin.
Charity Anne Lacquey, 13, of Ellsworth Air Force Base, died
Friday at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Merwin said.
“I know they did CPR all the way to Rapid City but,
unfortunately, were unable to save her,” Merwin said.
The sheriff understood that Lacquey was hunting with her father,
Staff Sgt.
Robert Smith, and brother, Shaun Moore Smith. The family, along with
mother, Jennifer Smith, is from Ellsworth.
Lacquey’s father is assigned to the Air Force Financial Services
Center at Ellsworth Air Force Base, according to base spokesman
Steve Merrill.
“Right now the base is working to help the family deal with this
tragic loss,” Merrill said.
The sheriff’s office and South Dakota Game Fish & Parks
Department are investigating the incident.
“We believe that it is just a very unfortunate accident,” said
Merwin, who offered his prayers to the family. It was just one of
those things that happens, he said.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and the New Underwood
ambulance service responded.
Kirk Funeral Home, of Rapid City, is handling the pending funeral
arrangements.
Reporter Nick Penzenstadler contributed to this report.
Contact Holly Meyer at 394-8421 or holly.meyer@rapidcityjournal.com.
