A boy from Utah killed by a stray bullet in front of his family

A 14-year-old boy from Utah was killed in front of his family when he was hit in the head by a stray bullet shot by a group of gunmen nearby, authorities said.

The young victim, identified by her family as Zackary Kempke, was in the back seat of her family's car – driven by her father – on a dirt road in a desolate region of Monte Cristo. .

The boy died instantly at 15h. shot, according to local reports. His family was not injured.

Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey said the investigators determined that the bullet came from another family firing several hundred meters away, Deseret News reported.

"The individual involved as well as witnesses stated that they did not know that there was a downstream road and that they could not see the vehicle while it was there. was moving on the road because of thick scrub and trees, "said the sheriff's office. "Seems to have been involuntary."

The sheriff's office added, "When the investigation is complete, all information and evidence will be turned over to the Rich County Attorney for further action or charges."

At this time, no charges have been filed, the authorities said.

"He did not even know what had happened, he was gone so fast," said the boy's uncle, Cory Hopkins, according to KSL-TV.

Hopkins said that Zackary and his family were in the remote area to take family photos to send to the boy's older brother, who is on mission as a Mormon missionary.

Remembering his nephew, Hopkins said, "He was like the center of attention. It was a comic, he liked to make people laugh … But he had a serious side. He was very spiritual. … he was a good boy. It was family oriented.

Hopkins told Deseret News that Zackary was suffering from type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.

"[W]We just can not believe he will not be here, "said the uncle.