ELGIN, IOWA – Tragedy struck a small Iowa town as an Iowa boy died Friday of an accidental gunshot wound, and a candlelight vigil was held in his hometown to remember him.
Sunday night, the Elgin community held a candlelight vigil in a park for the accidental shooting victim, 4-year-old Jayden Phillips, who died on the afternoon of Friday, June 17. Candles and lighters were provided to those who attended. Hymns were sung. Donation buckets were set out to help with funeral costs.
According to an announcement of the vigil, “the vigil is in remembrance of a beautiful, precious life we lost too soon. This is also a way to signify to the family that we, as a community, stand with them and that their burden is not carried alone.”
One woman who attended, Colette Harnisch, said “Bittersweet feelings tonight as I sit here. We helped a friend hold a candlelight vigil for an amazing family who lost their little boy who was only 4 years old on Friday due to a gunshot. This little boy left behind a little brother and a baby sister, along with his mom and his dad, who happens to work for us. I am at a loss for words and emotions over this whole situation. And I say Bittersweet feelings because I’m heartbroken over this but proud of this town we call home. This town has pulled together to show the family all the support we can.”
MORE INFORMATION:
On 6/17/2016 at 2:47 P.M. Fayette County Deputies responded to a call of a 4 year old child who had possibly shot himself and was suffering from a gunshot wound. The location of the shooting was identified as 210 Main Street in Elgin, Iowa. The victim was transported to Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union where he was later pronounced dead. The Fayette County Sheriff’s office with assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI,) began an investigation into the incident. The victim was identified as 4 year-old Jayden Choate of Fort Atkinson, Iowa. The investigation showed that Jayden did not live at 210 Main Street but was visiting the residence, along with his mother, a two year old brother, 5 month old sister and a family friend. Preliminary information indicates that Jayden was inside the residence alone with his two siblings, when the shooting took place. On 6/18/16, the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy of Jayden and he was found to have died from a gunshot wound to his head, which at this time, appears to be accidental. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa DCI, The IOSME and the Iowa Department of Human Services are continuing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
