BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a deadly shooting involving a teenager.
Family members say 18-year-old Dawson Whisenant was shot in the shed behind a home along Mount Olive Church Road Monday night. They said the handgun went off when one of his brothers placed it in a lockbox.
“It misfired,” said Austin Whisenant, the victim’s brother. “It ricocheted and hit my dad and then it went back, pass my dad and smacked my brother in the chest, and then ricocheted back off the wall.”
His brothers told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty the round hit his father first in the leg, then hit the teen before striking the side of the shed.
William Whisenant, another brother, said he was the one who placed the handgun in the lock box in the shed when it went off. He still doesn’t understand how it happened and says he performed CPR until help arrived.
“I had the gun handed to me,” William Whisenant said. “I went to put it in the lockbox and as I closed the lid, all I heard was bang, and my ears started ringing and everybody jumped up.”
Austin Whisenant spoke about the importance of safety when handling a weapon.
“After what happened to my brother last night, I don’t even want to be near one. I’ve never been near a gun, and I don’t want to be near one,” he said. “If you’re ever near a gun, make sure it’s on safety before you put it up.”
Sheriff deputies spent six hours at the home collecting evidence, including the Smith and Wesson M-P 9 handgun, along with the lockbox.
The sheriff’s office said no one has been charged in connection with the shooting, but that the investigation is ongoing and they are working with the district attorney’s office.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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