Police say younger brother accidentally shot and killed 17-year-old

Update 6:15pm 12/2/08

Just yards away from where the shooting happened, Corporal David Mays clutches the senior portrait of 17-year-old Mitchell Simmons. 

“Mitchell was a great kid,“ Simmons said.

A friend of the family, Mays is also the school resource officer at Staunton River High School where Simmons’ was taking advanced courses and a member of the baseball team.

“He was looked up to by a lot of kids at school,” he said.  “He fit into a lot of different groups, because he was just that type of person.“

Tuesday, Simmons’ family asked Mays to read us their statement.

“Tragically last night, his younger brother brought a gun into the room, and the gun accidentally went off,“ Mays said.

Now many in this community, including Mays, are having to come to terms with his death.

“It’s the first time I’ve been involved in something that’s both professional and personal, so it’s been a tough one,“ he said.  “It’s kind of good for cops to know they’re still human beings.“

It’s a reminder for everyone of how precious life is.

“Heaven’s a little brighter today, because they have got a good star up there now.“

Meanwhile the small community of Chamblissburg in Bedford County has one less.

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The Bedford Co. Sheriff’s Office says they were called to 3856 Saunders Grove Drive on Monday around 5:20 p.m. regarding a shooting.

Major Ricky Gardner says deputies found a 17-year-old boy how had been shot in chest with a rifle. He says, the victim was flown by Life Guard 10 to Roanoke Memorial for treatment. He later died at the hospital.

The shooter has been identified as the victim’s younger brother.

Major Gardner says there was also a 16-year-old sister in the house at the time of the shooting.

Since all those involved are under 18, their names aren’t being released.

At this time, Major Gardner says the shooting appears to be accidental, but the investigation is ongoing.