BRIGHTON, Iowa (WJW) - An Iowa community is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old boy who was killed in an accidental shooting while hunting over the weekend.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the shooting happened around 3 p.m. Saturday in a rural area of Brighton.

Investigators said 17-year-old Carson Ryan was out hunting when he was "mistaken for a squirrel" by another member of his party and shot in the back of the head.

The teen was rushed to UI Health Care Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

As reported by People and other news outlets, Carson was a student athlete at Washington High School.

The school's track and field team took to Facebook Sunday night, paying tribute to the 17-year-old.

"Washington Boy's Track & Field team asks you keep C

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