Illinois teen killed by accidental, self-inflicted gunshot while on FaceTime
LYNWOOD, Ill. -- A 15-year-old Illinois boy is dead after he accidentally shot himself while on FaceTime with a friend.
Blake Hannett died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Thursday night after a gun accidentally went off, police said. He was talking with a friend on FaceTime when the screen went blank. Police responded to the home in the 2700-block of Lake Park Drive in Lynwood and found the teenager at his desk with a .38 caliber handgun on the floor under his chair, officials said.
Hannett, a sophomore at Marion High School in Chicago Heights, was shot in the head.
Hannett's family said the teenager heard a noise and searched the home with the family gun for an intruder. They said the gun went off as he put it down in his room.
The school posted a statement to its website Friday morning:
"The Marian Catholic Community grieves the unexpected loss of sophomore student, Blake Hannett, who passed away on Thursday night, Dec. 11. His friendly outgoing personality and sense of humor helped to promote a team spirit both in the classroom and in the band. His million dollar smile and joyful spirit will be missed in the hallways of Marian Catholic but never forgotten. We are deeply saddened by his death. Counselors are available to the Marian student body throughout the day on Friday and in the future."
Police are continuing to investigate.
