Authorities today released the name of a Jefferson County teen killed Monday night in a hunting accident.
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Alyssa Scott. She was 15 and a student at Oak Grove High School.
"Whatever she did, she did with her whole heart," said Oak Grove High School Principal Pam Dennis. "She always did her absolute best with everything she did."
Sheriff's deputies responded just after 5 p.m. on a report of a shooting in the 4000 block of Valley Ford Road in the Adger Community, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. Once on the scene, they found Alyssa suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was taken to UAB Medical West. Authorities said the shooting happened at 5:08 p.m., and Alyssa was pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m.
Christian said information at the scene is that the teen and an adult family friend had been on a youth hunt at the location. As they were preparing to leave, the girl climbed down out of the tree stand. As the friend was passing her rifle down, it discharged and the teen was struck.
The investigation indicates the shooting was a tragic accident "We will take a thorough look at everything because that's our responsibility but sometimes tragedy and heartbreak comes unexpected, purely by accident, without blame or explanation," Christian said Monday night. "Now is the time to pray for and comfort a devastated family. Our hearts and prayers are with them."
Alyssa, a sophomore, was a member of Oak Grove's marching band and the indoor drum line. Dennis met with the grieving band members Tuesday morning.
"She was a great young lady. She was a big member of the band. Positive, fun-loving supportive student," Dennis said. "She lived life to the fullest. She always put other before herself. She was happy all of the time. She loved to make people laugh."
Dennis said in meeting with Alyssa's friends, they talked about the importance of living their lives the way Alyssa lived hers. "They've lost one of their own and it's difficult for them," Dennis said. "We talked this morning about living each day with purpose and every day give 100 percent. She would."
Additional counselors were brought into the school Tuesday, and local clergy also was on hand. "We're just going to be thankful that we got to spend time with her and know her," Dennis said. "Her grandmother passed away this week, so we're going to continue to lift up this family."