Deputies: Juniper Acres shooting accidental, self-inflicted

(Update with investigation results; gunshot apparently accidental, self-inflicted)

A juvenile resident of the Juniper Acres subdivision south of Prineville accidentally shot herself while trying to familiarize herself with the gun, suffering a non-life-threatening injury, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday.

Deputies were called to the off-the-grid subdivision around 2:35 Tuesday afternoon on the report of a juvenile with a gunshot wound, said Sgt. Bill Elliott. They arrived in the area and provided medical care until Crook County Fire and Rescue arrived, he said. The victim was flown to St. Charles Bend for treatment.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, Elliott wrote that while “original reports indicated that the victim was shot by an unknown assailant,” the sheriff’s office “obtained further evidence to suggest that the victim suffered a self-inflicted accidental gunshot wound.”

The victim had reported she did not see any other people or vehicles in the area when she was shot, Elliott said.

Sheriff’s deputies have located the gun and shell casing from the weapon, the sergeant said, adding that “this case is closed and the public is not in any danger.”

He also said no criminal charges have been filed in the matter at this time.