The mother of a slain Ohio teen who was accidentally shot in the back of the head and killed by his best friend is paying tribute to the smart, kind and loving boy she said he was.
Demarian Palmisano was shot in the back of the head while at a home on Laverne Drive in Colerain Township, Ohio, on Sunday night, and later died at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, it was reported.
The boy's mother told WKRC that her son was not only smart but also kind and loving as she said that he was her everything , more than you could ever ask for in a son.
READ MORE: San Antonio man taking trash to dumpster with gun slips, shoots and kills himself accidentally
READ MORE: Horror crash kills 6 children, 3 adults as SUV flips into a Florida canal
His best friend, a 16-year-old who has not been named, is not charged with reckless homicide in the boy's death. It was he who called 911 after the shooting happened, telling dispatchers that he just shot his best friend.
"I shot him in the back of the head on accident," the 16-year-old told dispatchers, according to WKRC. "My friend had a .2 long rifle. There was a bullet in, right, and you need to shoot it to prime it, and I didn't know it was primed, and I had it, and I accidentally pulled the trigger, the boy frantically told dispatchers as he explained the tragic accident.
He told dispatchers that he was trying his best to keep Demarian alive, and recorded audio from the call features him telling Demarian to fight and push through. The caller also said he was sorry.
The 16-year-old later added that he was intoxicated, telling the dispatcher, "Ma'am, I feel like this is important to tell you, but I am under the influence of alcohol."
Demarian was slated to be a sophomore at Northwest High School this coming school year, which is also located in Colerain County about a 20-mile drive north of Cincinnati.
The school released a statement about the incident, telling the community that counseling services would be available at the high school from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, to help students, faculty and staff and others cope with the loss of Demarian. The counseling resources will be available "as long as they are needed," the district said.
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.
District leaders are also reportedly working on a memorial to honor Demarian's memory, with more information on that slated to come soon.
"NWLSD Staff and Families, It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of one of our students, Demarian Palmisano. Demarian tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting last night. He was set to start his sophomore year at Northwest High School (NWHS) this upcoming school year," the statement, obtained by WKRC, begins.
It notes that Demarian had been a student at the district since elementary school as administrators said, "This loss has left our school community heartbroken. In times like these, we must come together to support and comfort one another."
"We encourage our students to lean on a trusted adult as they navigate the complex emotions this tragedy may bring. Please know that our staff is here to support our students and each other during this incredibly difficult time," the district concluded. "We stand with our Knights and our entire Northwest Local School District Family as we grieve the loss of one of our own. As always, we are #OneNWLSD."
A GoFundMe page established by a family friend of the Palmisanos was established "to help the family through this tough and unimaginable time." It had a goal set of $5,000 and had reached nearly $3,500 by Tuesday evening.
Local Cincinnati, OH
Most Popular
Comments / 0