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Lynwood Teen Fatally Shoots Himself During Online Video Chat With Friend: Police

(STMW) -- A south suburban teenager died Thursday night after accidentally shooting himself in the head while video chatting with a friend online.

Blake Hannett, 15, was pronounced dead at his home in the 2700 block of Lake Park Drive in Lynwood at 8:39 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

He was a sophomore at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights in Chicago Heights, according to a statement from Lynwood police.Officers were dispatched to the home at 8:11 p.m. for reports of gunfire, police said. When they arrived, they found the home secure with no signs of forced entry.A friend who had been on Facetime with Hannett when the screen went blank told police the teen had been home alone, authorities said.

The homeowners arrived while the officers were speaking to neighbors, and a search of the home revealed the teen slumped over in a chair at his desk with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

A .38-caliber handgun was found on the floor under the chair.

Investigators believe the shooting was accidental.

An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Hannett's death was scheduled for Friday, according to the medical examiner's office.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

 

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