Carson Ryan: Washington teen shot dead after being mistaken for a squirrel on Iowa hunting trip

A promising school-age athlete has been shot and killed after tragically being mistaken for a squirrel.

Teenager, Carson Ryan, was on a hunting trip in Iowa on Saturday when he was mistaken for an animal and shot dead by another group member.

The 17-year-old was “mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party”, a statement from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said.

“[He was] struck in the back of the head”, a spokesperson said.

“Carson was transported to UI Health Care Medical Centre, where he later died from his injuries.”

Studying in his final year at Washington High School, Carson was also a member of the school’s varsity football team The Sun reported.

Tributes have flowed with an outpouring of grief displayed in messaging on social media from people in the local community.

The school’s track and field team said their “hearts are broken” in a Facebook post.

“[We] ask you to keep Carson’s mom, family, classmates and teammates in your hearts as we navigate the devastating loss of Carson.”

A GoFundMe page has been created to support Carson’s family and has so far raised more than $80,000.

“A bright light to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” family friend Kelsie Wheeler wrote on the page.

“His kindness, humour, and genuine spirit touch countless lives, and his loss leaves an immeasurable void.”

A vigil was held to honour the young man on Saturday evening at the secondary school.

“Carson was a fierce competitor in everything he did,”Assistant football coach told the crowd Nic Williams.

“He loved fishing. He loved being with his friends. But more importantly, Carson was a person of incredible faith.”

An investigation into the incident is ongoing as debate rages in the US over young members of the community having easy access to firearms.