Iowa Teen Killed in Accidental Hunting Shooting

On Sept. 27, 2025, 17-year-old Carson Ryan of Washington, Iowa, was fatally shot while squirrel hunting near rural Brighton after a member of his hunting party reportedly mistook him for a squirrel and struck him in the back of the head. He was taken to UI Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City and later died. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are investigating and have described the shooting as accidental, saying environmental factors such as sunlight and shadows may have contributed and that officials initially did not expect charges. Ryan was a Washington High School student-athlete who played football, basketball and track and had been named to the homecoming court; his death prompted vigils and tributes from his school and neighboring districts. The community has rallied around his family, and an online GoFundMe to help with expenses has raised over $50,000; local leaders and authorities have also emphasized hunting safety as the investigation continues.