Bradley John Shockley: Arizona boy, 8, looking forward to opening Christmas presents dies after accidentally getting shot in the chest
COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA: An Arizona boy who was looking forward to opening his Christmas presents was killed days before Christmas by a pellet gun in a tragic accident on Monday, December 18.
Bradley John Shockley, eight, from St David, was riding on a quad bike with a friend when they entered a target practice area they had been asked to stay away from and he was hit in the chest by a 22-caliber pellet.
Bradley John Shockley was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries within an hour
"It was a complete accident and he tragically got shot," Bradley John's
heartbroken mother, Ella Scofield, told Fox 8.
Scofield said that her son’s death was "a complete accident" and that she had no hard feelings towards the people who were shooting in the practice area.
The mother said Bradley was "so smart' and loved reading, spaghetti and his baby brother, Arlis.
"He kept going over and looking at his presents," Scofield revealed to the station, adding "He’s not allowed to touch them because if he shakes them he’ll guess what they are. He is so smart."
She continued, "So he’d sit there and look at them and try to guess what they were. We got him a big box of books because he liked to read and he knew exactly what that present was without even having to touch it."
She further said, "We let them know that we don’t have any hard feelings against them and that we love them dearly and the kids are still welcome to come over if they want."
Scofield said, "We have to be strong and it’s hard but we’re trying."
Bradley John Shockley was described as a 'best big brother’
A GoFundMe page set up for the family described Bradley as "a ray of sunshine and the best big brother."
"He was always happy and smiling and just an all-around great kid," family friend Tisha Luzadder said. The page has raised more than $17000 to help with funeral expenses and other costs.
Celebration of life to be held after Christmas
Bradley’s life will be celebrated at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his hometown of St David, a few days after Christmas.
His mother has asked people to wear bright colors, as "Bradley loved all colors" with his favorites being red, blue and green. Spaghetti, his favorite meal, will also be served at the church.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and will submit a report to the county attorney for review, as per the report.
