The family and friends of a “happy-go-lucky” South Carolina 13-year-old are remembering him after his tragic death. According to reports, the boy’s best friend accidentally shot him dead while they were squirrel hunting. After the sad incident, the boy’s mom said in a heartbreaking post that “Heaven gained an angel.”
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the agency handling the death investigation, the victim and his friend were hunting in Orangeburg County over the weekend. However, the fun event turned sour when one boy shot the other in what appeared to be an accident.
Officials identified the 13-year-old as Cameron Connor, an eighth-grader at the Dorchester Academy. When the tragedy occurred, Connor and his pal hunted near Santee, about 65 miles northwest of Charleston. The state Department of Natural Resources gave few details about what happened in a post on X.
The department said the “two friends were squirrel hunting on private land when one shot the other.” Also, they called the incident a “hunting accident.” “This is an ongoing investigation, and we will update as we’re able,” the agency said. “Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and loved ones.”
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Connor’s mother, Penny Wagers Connor, said her son and his best friend were hunting ducks when the shooting occurred. Wagers Conner revealed during an interview that the boys attended Dorchester Academy. In addition, she revealed Connor pitched for the baseball team and played tight end for the football team.
Also, she said his best friend played for the school’s football and baseball teams. Cameron’s grieving mother thanked the community for the outpouring of support. “As a parent, this is one of the most difficult tragedies to navigate and process,” she wrote on Facebook. “Please hold your children tight and tell them you love them.”
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“Please pray for me, Bryson, Marshall, Kelly, Finley, and our families as we grieve the loss of our sweet Cameron,” she wrote. “Pray for his best friend and his family.” Furthermore, Wagers Connor spoke about her son’s death and how it has impacted her in an interview. “Heaven gained an angel last night,” she said.
“His presence made an impact on so many people. Son, I’ll miss you every single day until we meet again,” she added. “I love you with all of my heart and soul.” Similarly, the teen’s father, Marshall Connor, said his son always had a positive attitude during an interview.
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“He loved the outside, was outgoing, kind, and generous,” he said. Also, Connor’s father asked for prayers for Cameron’s friend and his family. “We’re asking people to wrap them up in love as well,” he said. In addition, Marshall stressed the importance of teaching children about gun safety.
“We were adamant about teaching Cam the importance of ensuring the safety was always on,” Connor’s mother said. “And how dangerous a firearm can be if mishandled.” Besides his parents, Connor’s 17-year-old brother, Bryson Conner, his 5-year-old half-brother, Finley Connor, and his stepmother, Kelly Connor, survived him.
“My son was truly an angel walking around on this earth,” Wagers Connor said. “Now, he’s an angel watching over us.”
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