This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: De Wald, Ordway, Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/7758 Message Board Post: 22 Rifle Shot Snuffs Out Boy's Life Anthony Cleary, age 11 was shot and killed by the accidental discharge of a .22 caliber rifle Tuesday evening, August 3, 1953 about 7:30 p.m. it was reported by sheriff's officers from Mojave sub-station. The victim was the son of Mrs. Evelyn De Wald, 649 Athens St., Altadena. He was visiting his uncle, Ben Ordway, at the time. The tragedy occurred at the West Antelope Pump station of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, 18 miles from Mojave. The shot was fired from a gun in the hands of 13-year old Raymond D. Atkinson, son of Farrell G. Atkinson who was working as a patrolman for the Aqueduct in the absence of "Reg" Kelsey. The dead boy and his uncle stopped at the Atkinson trailer, parked near the station, to borrow; a rifle. While the two men were inside the house drinking coffee: the younger Atkinson went inside the trailer to get the gun. . Raymond told Dep. Sheriffs K. J C. Fiddler and Bill Boruff he stumbled as he stepped from the trailer and the gun was discharged accidently. The officers said the victim was standing 93 feet from the trailer steps. The bullet passed through his neck, entering it from the front right side. The missle then went on to pierce two wooden walls investigators reported. O'Donnell ambulance was called from Mojave and the Sheriff's sub-station was notified. Dr. Gish, of Mojave Medical Center, who accompanied the ambulance pronounced the boy dead when he arrived on the scene. The body was removed to the O'Donnell Funeral Home and an inquest will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6. Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society Courtesy of Mojave Desert News California City, Kern, CA Published: 06 Aug 1953