Slippery Rock student, 19, dies in Crawford County hunting accident
A sophomore at Slippery Rock University died in a hunting accident Saturday in Crawford County, officials confirmed Sunday.
State police in Meadville identified the victim as Jacob Scott Smith, 19, of Linesville, Crawford County. Smith was a safety management major at the university, President William Behre said in a statement.
Troopers said the incident happened shortly before 8:30 a.m. Saturday, when Smith was out hunting with friends off of Gordon Road in Summit Township, Crawford County. The location is near Conneaut Lake Park.
Police said Smith inadvertently shot himself in the stomach with his own gun.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating the incident, state police said. Phone messages left with the Game Commission and Crawford County Coroner Scott T. Schell weren’t immediately returned Sunday.
“Please join me in extending the University’s sincerest condolences to his family, friends and all those touched by this tragedy,” the statement from Behre said. Behre went on to urge students who have been impacted by Smith’s death and need someone to talk to to contact the SRU Counseling Center at 724-738-2034 or Office of Student Support at 724-738-2121.
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