Edited release
09/29/25
A 17-year-old squirrel hunter in Washington County has died from injuries sustained in an accidental shooting by another hunter in rural Brighton. The incident occurred Saturday at approximately 3 p.m.
According to a release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 17-year-old Carson Ryan of Washington was mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party and was struck in the back of the head. Ryan was transported to UI Health Care Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the DNR.