Luke Burns was a 16-year-old student at Exeter Union High School who died on October 4, 2015, in the Horse Creek Meadows area of Sequoia National Forest during a family hunting trip. About 8 a.m., while hidden behind brush, he inadvertently wandered into the line of fire and was struck in the torso by a shot fired by another hunter. Family and friends performed CPR and first aid, but Luke died before reaching the California Hot Springs Ranger station.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Department detectives and the Department of Fish and Game investigated; detectives from the Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit responded. The shooting was ruled an accident and no arrests or charges were made. Exeter held a special assembly and provided counseling; Luke’s twin brother Levi and the family received community support.

What details about the trip or safety precautions are most important to remember to prevent a repeat of this kind of accident?