PERQUIMANS COUNTY, N.C. — A 15-year-old freshman is being remembered after being killed in a hunting accident on Friday in Perquimans County.
Northeastern North Carolina
15-year-old dead after hunting accident in Perquimans County, North Carolina
Collin Winslow was hunting with another teen near Hickory Cross Road. At one point, Winslow's own gun went off, hitting and killing him, according to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).
All Perquiman County schools were on a one-hour delay Monday in remembrance of Winslow.
Perquimans County High School Principal Mickey Drew sent the following message to families:
"As you may have already heard, the Pirate Family suffered a tragic loss this past Friday with the passing of Collin Winslow. Collin was a freshman at Perquimans County High School and he was also the son of Mrs. Holly Winslow who is the assistant principal at Perquimans Central School. Collin was a member of the football, baseball and hunter safety teams at PCHS. We will have counselor, the minister's council and other mental health professionals on site at PCHS to assist students and staff throughout the day on Monday. Collin's family asks for your prayers at this time. All Perquimans County Schools will operate on a one hour delay Monday," Drew said in the statement.
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, Collin Winslow’s death was ruled an accidental shooting.
Grief from the loss has been widespread, from his immediate family to members of favorite extra-curriculars and after school clubs.
Amy Ward is the Secretary Treasurer of the Perquimans County Hunter Safety Team. The group is made up of many middle school and high school students, including Winslow, pictured in many of their group photos. Ward says news of Winslow’s death was heart wrenching.
"I got a call from my husband and he said..are you sitting down? I got bad news. He said Collin has died he was in a hunting accident and he didn’t make it. It took my breath away and I thought oh my gosh this can’t be real," says Ward.
Over the weekend, his teammates honored him with a vigil.
"The kids wanted to take the leftover arrangement and put it on his number because 8 was the one he would always shoot at that was his target and then the head coaches wife went out and put a wreath on it later," says Ward.
Winslow’s principal Mickey Drew says there’s a somber feeling in the halls of Perquimans County High School. For the time being, resources have been made available for students and teachers
"He was a well rounded young man and he was loved by many and they value the friendships they had with him and the time they were willing to spend with him," says Principal Drew.
Winslow's head coach, Talmadge Meads, wrote to us saying the following:
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our friend and teammate, Collin. Our community is devastated right now. We may bend but will never break because we are leaning on each other for support. Collin was such a remarkable young man always preparing to give our team his very best. He was exceptionally kind, polite and humble. In a lot of ways I think he taught me more than I ever taught him. He is from such a loving family that makes spending time together their main focus. To honor him, our community is sponsoring a scholarship in his name so that his legacy of hard work, dedication and kindness will continue on forever," said Meads.
For questions about donating to the Scholarship you can click the link here,
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