12/16/11 !5 year old girl dies in Thursday night shooting
By Nick Sabo
December 16, 2011
329
The Holmes County Sheriffs office is investigating the shooting death of a 15 year old Wayne County girl.
Sheriff Tim Zimmerly said Friday Dec. 16 that Rachel Yoder, 15, died from a gunshot wound to the head that she suffered while driving a buggy home the night of Dec. 15.
Zimmely said the shooting appears to be accidental. However, Zimmerly said his department is investigating all possibilities.
Right now, we just dont know how she was shot, Zimmerly said. Its not looking like it was intentional at this time. It might have been a stray bullet. It appears it was not a close-up shot.
According to sheriffs reports, Rachel was found by her father lying in their driveway Thursday night at approximately 10:15 p.m. Rachels brother noticed that the buggy she had taken to a Christmas party in Holmes County was in the driveway doing circles, Zimmerly said, and the father went outside to see what was wrong.
At first, it was believed Rachel had injured her head in the fall, Zimmerly said. Rachel was transported to Dunlap Hospital and then transferred to Akron City hospital, where it was determined her injury was a gunshot wound.
Akron City notified the sheriffs office at 1:58 p.m. Friday that Rachel had died, Zimmerly said.
Wayne County Sheriffs deputies were initially responded to the incident. Wayne County deputies investigating the incident noticed a trail of blood on the roadway and followed it into Holmes County, where it is believed Rachel was shot.
Rachel left the Christmas party at 10 p.m and drove a friend home. Rachel was struck by the bullet sometime between the friends house and her own, a time frame of about 15 minutes.
As near as we can tell, the buggy traveled about a mile, Zimmerly said. Obviously, the horse will know its way home. The horse brought her home and she fell out.
Zimmerly said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI & I) is processing the buggy and blood trail. No bullet hole has been found in the buggy that we know of Zimmerly said, noting BCI & I will determine if the shot passed through the buggy.
No other injuries were immediately apparent, Zimmerly said. An autopsy is expected to be performed Saturday.
Anyone with information should contact the Holmes County Sheriffs office at 330-674-1936.
