Ryan Mayhew

Ryan Mayhew was a 17-year-old senior at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau, Alaska, known by friends as a goofy, happy kid who loved to make people laugh. A White male, Ryan was a dedicated football player for the TMHS Falcons, wearing number 28 as a wide receiver and cornerback. He was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing. Friends remembered him as someone who was never down or mad and never held a grudge. His best friend, Kasey Watts, recalled that they were inseparable during summer vacations, fishing during the day and staying out late at night. "He was just a goofy kid like me, and just wanted to make people smile and laugh and that’s what I’m going to miss the most about him," Watts said. Ryan was a loving son, brother, and a friend to many who would miss him dearly.

The morning of Saturday, September 17, 2016, was the second day of duck hunting season, and Ryan was excited to get out with his friends. At about 9:00 a.m., he and three companions—friends and relatives aged 26, 22, and 16—were at his home in the Mendenhall Valley, preparing for their trip. They were loading their gear into a truck parked outside a residence in the 3000 block of Mountainwood Circle. As Ryan stood outside the vehicle, he reached into the backseat to retrieve his shotgun. He grabbed the firearm by the barrel and pulled it toward himself. The loaded shotgun discharged, striking him in the torso.

His friends immediately called 911 and began administering first aid. One of Ryan's older brothers performed CPR until emergency responders arrived. Paramedics rushed Ryan to Bartlett Regional Hospital, but the injury was too severe. He was pronounced dead at approximately 9:32 a.m., about thirty minutes after he was shot. His best friend, Kasey Watts, was one of the three people with him when the tragedy occurred and stood by in shock as the events unfolded.

The Juneau Police Department investigated the shooting, seizing the shotgun and the truck as evidence. Investigators interviewed the witnesses, who were all friends and relatives of Ryan. Based on the evidence and witness statements, police quickly concluded that the shooting was a "tragic accident" and that no foul play was involved. Lt. Dave Campbell, a spokesman for the department, confirmed the sequence of events, stating, "When (the victim) reached into the backseat, he pulled the shotgun toward him and the shotgun discharged." No charges were filed in connection with his death.

Ryan's death sent a shockwave of grief through the Juneau community, particularly among the students and staff at Thunder Mountain High School. The following Monday, the school was described as "super quiet." The Juneau School District and Juneau Youth Services provided counselors and psychologists to help students and faculty cope with the profound loss. In the weeks that followed, the community rallied to support Ryan's family and honor his memory. Two separate GoFundMe campaigns were created to help his mother, Chris, with funeral and memorial expenses, raising over $16,000 from hundreds of donors.

Students found their own ways to pay tribute to their friend. Black rubber bracelets bearing the words “WE PLAY FOR RYAN” became a common sight on the wrists of his peers. Car decals were made with his football number, 28. After a game a few weeks after his death, the Thunder Mountain High School football team lit and released dozens of sky lanterns in his honor. His close friends, including Kasey Watts, Riley Olsen, and Zeb Storie, leaned on each other and their sports teams for support, dedicating their seasons to Ryan's memory. Watts even carried some of his best friend's ashes in a necklace shaped like a bullet. The case is considered closed, a tragic accident that serves as a painful reminder of the importance of firearm safety.