ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A 15-year-old high school student has been killed by a prop pistol, a real gun that was about to be used in a school
play.
It happened at Desert Hills High School in St. George Saturday night. Police say just before the
play, Oklahoma was about to start the cast heard the gun discharge. Tucker Thayer, a member of the tech crew, was found in the theater's sound booth, the pistol in his
hand. Police say even without a bullet the shear force of energy released from the gun’s
barrel at close range was enough to be lethal.
Now tuckers parents want answers. “Why was there a pistol, a real gun allowed in the school?
Why wasn't there supervision? Why wasn't there an adult around that weapon at all times?” said family friend, Chip Campbell.
In a sad irony, Tucker did a camera interview Friday night after the
play. He talked about the .38 caliber revolver he discharged back
stage as sound effects for Oklahoma’s gun scene. He showed the camera the blank cartridge it fired. “His parents did not know he was using a real pistol. The assumption... it was just a prop and I think that's how Tucker looked at it... as a prop,” said Campbell.
Tucker was an Eagle Scout, a good student who loved the drama program at Desert Hills High School.
Campbell said the Thayer family is stunned by the tragedy. He asked for prayers of comfort and peace for them as they mourn.
Police said the incident is still under investigation. ABC 4's calls to representatives of the Washington School District went unanswered on
Sunday.
Police were called to Desert Hills High School in October with reports of a student carrying a gun. It turned out it was a student in the same
play carrying a
prop gun.