Accidental shooting leads to death of young Lovell man

LOVELL (WNE) — An accidental shooting has claimed the life of a young area man.
David Hatch, 21, accidentally shot himself in the head on Nov. 28 with a gun that he believed was unloaded, said Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn.
Hatch was hanging out with three adult friends in the Yellowtail Habitat east of Lovell, Blackburn said. The friends had been target shooting earlier and were enjoying each other’s company at the campsite.
No criminal play or bad behavior occurred during the incident, and no foul play was suspected. Blackburn emphasized that various methods of forensic analysis revealed definitively that the shooting was accidental.
Two of the subjects at the scene immediately responded and rendered first aid in the manner that was advised by dispatch. A friend on the way to the Habitat was informed of the situation and waited near the Habitat boundary off of Highway 37 to escort the ambulance to the scene.
A life flight helicopter was called but was diverted due to poor landing zones and the fact that Hatch was already in the ambulance. Hatch was transported to North Big Horn Hospital and then life flighted to Billings Clinic.
Hatch passed away from his injuries on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 2, in the presence of many family, friends and members of the community.
Although Hatch lost his life, he is giving many other people life. As stated in a public Facebook post by Hatch’s mom, Beth Hatch, her son’s donation of all his organs has saved eight lives so far.