Teenager Killed After Being Mistaken For A Panther In Prank Gone Horribly Wrong

A teenager was mistakenly shot dead by her boyfriend and another man after a prank went tragically wrong.

The incident took place in October last year, when Rachel Buchanan was socialising with her boyfriend and another couple at a house outside of Hendersonville, in North Carolina.

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However, an 'ill-fated' prank Buchanan and the other girl tried to play ended in tragedy, as the 19-year-old lost her life.

In his release to the press, District Attorney for Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties, Andrew Murray, has called the incident 'a tragic and heart-wrenching accident'.

The two men went to retrieve Buchanan's phone charger after she said she had forgotten it at her house. They took their legally-owned firearms because of local legends about a black panther prowling in the woods, according to Murray.

¡°There is no doubt that several alleged black panther sightings had the Conservative Lane residents on edge for their safety and wellbeing,¡± Murray wrote. One of the men and his father told investigators they had previously seen the panther, the release said.

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When their partners left to go and find a charger, Buchanan and her friend came up with a prank.

They got rotten eggs and hid in the bushes, planning to throw them at the men.

As the men walked back, the women crouched down to hide, causing Buchanan¡¯s friend to pass gas, the release said. The two women laughed.

The returning men mistook the noise for the sound of a panther growling and sticks breaking, Murray wrote.

The two men opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9 mm pistol, the release said. Buchanan was hit in the chest and head a total of three times.

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911 was called and paramedics took over from the two men who attempted to perform first aid.

However, the 19-year-old died on her way to the hospital, News 13 reported.

¡°I am convinced that the shooting and killing of Rachel Olivia Buchanan was a tragic and heart-wrenching accident,¡± Murray wrote.

¡°Regrettably, everyone involved in the loss of Ms Buchanan¡¯s life must forever live with their personal decision-making and actions on this ill-fated night,¡± he wrote. ¡°The vibrant life of a loved one and friend was senselessly cut far too short.¡±

No charges will be filed in the case, which has been closed, Murray wrote.

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