Idaho Boy Charged With Shooting & Killing 3rd Grade Girl

Because the young man involved and charged is under age, his name will not be released.  About a month ago we shared information about a 10-year-old girl who was shot and killed.  We originally thought she was 11 but we now know that the victim was 10-year-old Ariel May Gerstlauer of Blackfoot, Idaho.  You can check out the original story below.

The Idaho State Journal has just released new information updating us a bit on what happened.

A young boy has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter.  The Bear Lake County Sheriff's Office has questioned the boy and has stated that this young man will NOT be tried as an adult which means all we know is that he is for sure under the age of 17.  Exactly how young he is, we don't know.

The shooting took place in a camper where the family was gathered just off of Highway 30 real close to Montpelier.  The only weapon at the scene of the crime was a 22-caliber rifle which authorities have not confirmed yet was the weapon used in the shooting.  Authorities believe that Ariel was accidentally shot in the head.  She was dead before emergency crews arrived.

The Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office has completed their investigation and has handed all the facts over to the courts who will now see this young man.  If convicted, the young man will most likely be sentenced to a juvenile detention facility.

Ariel was in the third grade at Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center.  Our hearts break for this family.  God Bless You.