Eighteen-year-old Hanna Kaylee Cox, a senior at Maconaquah High School, was shot and killed on February 24, 2022, in Peru, Indiana. The shooting occurred inside a parked car in a residential area near Grissom Air Reserve Base after an on-again, off-again boyfriend, 18-year-old Jeremiah Smith, showed her a handgun he had recently acquired. Smith reportedly believed the gun was unloaded, pointed it at Cox, and pulled the trigger; the firearm was loaded and a single shot struck her. Neighbors and first responders came after hearing a scream, but Cox was pronounced dead at the scene.

The community and school were left reeling; counselors were made available for students and staff. Cox’s mother described the incident as a tragic accident and said Smith had always been respectful toward her daughter. Indiana State Police investigators characterized the shooting as unintentional, resulting from mishandling a firearm under the mistaken belief it was empty. Smith was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, criminal recklessness, and pointing a firearm and was scheduled for a hearing in April 2022.

Does anyone have information about Hanna’s last day or about the events leading up to the shooting?