A tragic hunting accident claimed the life of an eight-year-oldBogue Chitto boy Sunday afternoon, Lincoln County authoritiessaid.

Dylan Wayne Williams, of 2644 Rolling Meadows Lane, was shot inthe chest and upper torso area while riding his bicycle behind hishome around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, said Lance Falvey, Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department investigator.

Williams, the son of Eric and Dara Williams, was taken to King’sDaughters Medical Center. Deputy Coroner John Hart pronounced theboy dead at the hospital at 4:47 p.m., said Coroner-MedicalExaminer Clay McMorris.

Falvey said Jonathan Blake Williams, Williams’ 19-year-oldcousin, was hunting on family land and apparently spooked a deer.The younger Williams was struck with a load of buckshot from a10-gauge shotgun, the investigator said.

Dylan Williams was wearing dark clothing and was partiallyobscured by some brush. Falvey, who estimated the distance involvedin the shooting to be about 27 yards, said there was no doubt thehunter did not see the boy.

“It’s extremely unfortunate,” Falvey said of the shooting. “It’sjust a tragedy, especially right here at Christmas.”

Funeral arrangements, under the direction of Brookhaven FuneralHome, are incomplete.