19-year-old killed while hunting in Wayne County

A 19-year-old man was killed while hunting Sunday morning in what appears to be an accidental shooting, according to a neighbor and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Posted 6:46 p.m. Nov 30, 2015 — Updated 12:02 a.m. Dec 1, 2015

PRINCETON, N.C. — A 19-year-old man was killed while hunting Sunday morning in what appears to be an accidental shooting, according to a neighbor and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Bailey Lynch, a graduate of Charles B. Aycock High School, was hunting with a member of his girlfriend's family when one of the men's rifles got caught on a low-hanging tree branch and accidentally discharged, killing Lynch.

The other man immediately called 911, but emergency vehicles had trouble getting to the wooded area off Capps Bridge Road in the northwestern part of the county.

Neighbor David Holloman said he was drinking coffee and watching the news when he heard shooting in the woods behind his home.

"These boys grew up hunting, so it's not unusual to hear shots around here," Holloman said. "They've all grown up being responsible hunters, but unfortunately accidents happen."

The wildlife commission declined to release any other details, citing its ongoing investigation.

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