In Point Pleasant, West Virginia, on Sunday morning, September 10, a 10-year-old boy was discovered dead with a gunshot wound, after being reported missing during a hunting trip. 

Wyatt Eaves-Nibert, a fifth-grade student at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mason County, was equipped with a .22 rifle and ventured into the woods to look for squirrels after having lunch on Saturday afternoon with his grandfather, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

About an hour later, authorities were alerted to an ATV accident involving Wyatt’s grandfather in the same area. The grandfather was searching for Wyatt and alerted authorities who began an official search for the boy. 

The boy’s family, knowledgeable in firearm safety, expressed that Wyatt was always well-trained and practiced safety measures. 

Wyatt’s mother, Adrienne Nibert, said that her son had a special bond with his grandfather, with whom he often went squirrel hunting. When his grandfather called out for him after cleaning up their lunch, Wyatt could not be located.

Wyatt is survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family. 

The State Medical Examiner’s Office is doing an autopsy and results are pending. At this time, it has not been disclosed whether foul play is suspected and the cause of the gunshot wound is yet to be revealed.