Granite Quarry-Faith Joint Police Authority Chief Mark Cook said officers responded to a call from a gunshot victim around 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Salisbury Post, which first reported the story. An unnamed juvenile was shot while handling a firearm that he thought was unloaded. The gun still had a round in its chamber when he was handling it.

The bullet struck the juvenile and killed him.

“At this time, the family has asked for privacy and we ask for everyone to keep the family in thoughts and prayers,” he said. “We have no further releasable details. However, the investigation is still ongoing.”

The school notified students of the death and Gray Stone Chief Administrative Officer Helen Nance said counselors, along with the school nurse, have been available to students to help them express their feelings and process the grief of losing a classmate. Plans are being formulated to honor the student in the upcoming weeks.