A 17-year-old in Iowa has died after he was accidentally shot by a hunter who mistook him for a squirrel, authorities said.

Carson Ryan of Washington, Iowa, died after he was struck in the back of the head by an “accidental shooting” from a fellow member of his hunting party, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The release said Ryan was “mistaken for a squirrel” by the fellow hunter.

The incident occurred Sept. 27 at about 3 p.m. local time in Brighton, Iowa. Authorities from the Iowa DNR and Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Ryan was transported to UI Health Care Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to the release.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Ryan was a senior at Washingto

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