Student dies from prop pistol wound

ST. GEORGE — A 17-year-old student at Desert Hills High School was killed Saturday night, apparently by a self-inflicted wound from a prop pistol while students were setting up for the night's performance of "Oklahoma."

At about 6:20 p.m., a loud noise was heard in a sound booth area above the stage, and when students and teachers rushed to investigate, they found the injured student alone with the blank-firing gun, said St. George Police Capt. Bruce Graham.

Investigators don't know why the male student had the pistol or what his role in the production was.

"Even though prop pistols don't fire a projectile, there's still energy (emitted from the gun)," Graham said.

According to the book "Technical Theater for Nontechnical People," a blank gun should never be fired if pressed against the head or body or pointed at someone's face.

The student was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center for preliminary treatment, but he died as medical personnel were preparing to take him to another hospital by air helicopter, Graham said.

Desert Hills High School is a new school located in the Bloomington Hills area of St. George. The school canceled the showing of the play after the accident, Graham said.

"Any time kids are injured, it's a tragic accident," Graham said.

The investigation into the student's death is expected to continue through the weekend, he said.

— Joseph M. Dougherty