By Journal Staff

MASS CITY — A 16-year-old male has passed away following a shooting accident that occurred around 3 p.m. Friday, according to the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident took place in Mass City, where police said a 13-year-old male and a 16-year-old male were at the 13-year-old’s residence when the younger male was loading a riffle, which fired and struck the 16-year old male in the back. A 14-year-old male who was at the residence then called 911.

The 16-year-old who had been shot was transported to the Ontonagon Aspirus Hospital by Sonco Ambulance and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The accident was not considered to be a hunting accident, police said, as the individuals were not in the act of hunting at the time.

The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by law enforcement officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, a law enforcement officer from the U.S. Forest Service and the Michigan Sheriff’s Association’s Victims’ Service Unit.

According to police, the incident remains under investigation as of late Saturday afternoon.