SERVICES THURSDAY FOR 15-YEAR-OLD CLAY YOUTH - Accidentally Shot By 79-Year-Old Uncle

(03/14/2012)
Funeral service will be held at noon Thursday at Wilson-Shamblin-Smith Funeral Home, Clay with Minister Toby Mitchell officiating for 15-year-old Dillon Dawson who was accidentally shot to death.

The youth, who resided on Walker-Nebo Road in Clay County, was shot to death by his 79-year-old uncle, family members first said the youth was playing a prank on him.

State Police are saying Dawson was shot to death by his great uncle, Alfred Dawson, allegedly from a tree stand 125 yards away.

Police are saying it appears either the boy or his dog was mistaken for a coyote, but would not confirm reports that Dillon, a freshman at Clay High School, was playing a prank on the elderly man by pretending to be a coyote.

Natural Resource Police have taken over the investigation.