This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/7753 Message Board Post: Third Death Laid to .22 Rifle Shooting Bringing to number three, the deaths caused accidentally by .22 rifles within the pas three months, Benjamin Baron, 25, of Whittier, was accidentally shot on Sunday, October 11, while rabbit hunting five miles north of Mojave. Numbering one of seven in the party, Barron, who was sitting on a five gallon can after the party who had tired of hunting rabbits turned their attention to target practice, suddenly stood up as Rudy Vasquez, 23, also of Whittier, shot over his head, the bullet striking him in the head. Barron, who was married and the father of two children, was taken to Mojave Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival and the body removed to the O'Donnell Funeral Home. A Coroner’s inquest held Wednesday, October 14, at the funeral home by Deputy Coroner Ross Jones, came to the conclusion that deathwas the result of an accident and Vasquez was not held. John Wertz of the Kern County District Attorney's office assisted. Hamilton Thatcher, 14, came to his death a week ago Sunday in a rabbit hunting accident near Willow Springs after his party had turned to target shooting. A ten-year-old Altadena boy was also accidentally shot by his 13-year-old companion about two months ago. In all instances a .22 caliber rifle figured. Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society Courtesy of Mojave Desert News California City, Kern, CA Published: 15 Oct 1953