With heavy hearts, we announce the passing

While they were squirrel hunting, a “happy-go-lucky” 13-year-old boy from South Carolina was shot and killed by his best friend.

In a heartbreaking post, the boy’s mom said, “Heaven gained an angel.”

Officials say that eighth-grader Cameron Connor and his friend were hunting on private land near Santee, which is about 65 miles northwest of Charleston, on Sunday when the terrible thing happened.

In a post on X, the state Department of Natural Resources said that “two friends were squirrel hunting on private land when one shot the other.” They did not say much else about what happened, but they did call it a “hunting accident.”

“This is still being looked into, and we’ll let you know as soon as we can,” the agency said. “Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends.”

Mom of Cameron thanked everyone in the community for their support.

As a parent, this is one of the worst tragedies I’ve ever had to deal with. Peggy Wagers Connor from Harleyville wrote on Facebook, “Please hug your kids extra tight and tell them you love them.”

“Please pray for Bryson, Marshall, Kelly, Finnley, and my family as we mourn the death of our sweet Cameron.” She wrote, “Please pray for his best friend and his family.”