Mora Teen Accidentally Shot, Killed Himself Hunting

MORA  (AP) - Authorities say a teenager accidentally shot and killed himself trying to remove his jacket while hunting in central Minnesota.

The Kanabec County sheriff's office says authorities were called to a hunting accident near Mora Monday. Fifteen-year-old Jeremiah Scofield was dead at the scene.

Scofield had a gunshot wound to his upper leg and was in a deer stand about 10 feet off the ground. Investigators say he apparently was trying to remove his jacket, with the firearm between his legs, when the gun went off and struck him in the leg.

Scofield's family says he loved hunting, trapping, swimming and fishing.

He was the fourth hunter to die since the start of Minnesota's firearms deer season. Two hunters died in tree strand accidents and one of natural causes.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)