The shooting death of a 9-year-old Guyton boy last week appears to be accidental, authorities said Monday.
An autopsy on Landry Oliver was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Savannah.
“The initial investigation indicates that the shooting appears to have been accidental,” said David Ehsanipoor, Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “There are no immediate indications of foul play.”
Landry died from a gunshot wound to the head. Charges are not expected at this time, but the investigation is ongoing, Ehsanipoor said.
Landry, a student at Marlow Elementary, was shot with a .22-caliber rifle at a residence in the 100 block of Zittrouer Road about 7 p.m. Thursday. He was airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on Friday.
The shooting occurred while Landry and an 11-year-old neighbor were playing in Landry’s backyard, Ehsanipoor said. The rifle had been in a shed at the home.
Landry was a great lover of the outdoors, playing baseball, fishing, riding bikes or just rambling. He was also an active member of his church.
He was a “delightful” student, Marlow Elementary Principal Wallace Blackstock said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Blackstock said the school system’s crisis management plan was put into action on Friday, allowing extra counselors to be on campus.
Survivors include his parents, Micheal and Vickie Oliver of Guyton; two brothers, Cole and Kason; two sisters, Mackenzie and Alaina, all of Guyton; maternal grandparents, Terry Sexton and Frank Tarlton of Guyton, Earl John Pack Jr. and Dee of Newport, Wash.; paternal grandparents, Steve and Ann Oliver of Murphy, N.C.; maternal great-grandparents, James O. Dasher of Guyton and Lula Kinnear of S.C.; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. today at Riggs Funeral Home. A funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Countryside Baptist Church.
Burial will follow at Bethesda United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Riggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.