12-year-old playing with gun accidentally kills 13-year-old friend, Iowa officials say

A 13-year-old girl who had dreams of becoming a doctor died in an unintentional shooting as her friend played with a gun, according to Iowa officials and news reports.

The April 14 shooting of Keeley Baer in Eldora has now been ruled to be unintentional, Hardin County Attorney Darrell Meyer said May 20, according to The Des Moines Register.

Keeley died when a 12-year-old friend shot her once with a pistol inside the friend’s home in Eldora, Meyer said, according to KCCI. The shooting was a result of “gun play,” the county attorney said.

The 12-year-old was still being held in custody as of May 20, according to the Register. It’s unclear if the boy’s parents will face charges.

Keeley attended South Hardin Middle School, school officials said, adding that they were “shaken” by the news of her death.

Her grandmother, Linda Larsen, said Keeley had a big personality and “was our little star,” KCCI reported.

In her obituary, Keeley was called as a “remarkable individual with aspirations of becoming a doctor.”

“Described as a spunky spitfire with a lot of sass, Keeley’s vibrant personality captured the hearts of everyone around her,” loved ones said in the obituary. “Her contagious smile and playful silliness could light up any room. Known as everyone’s best friend, Keeley had a unique ability to make people feel valued and seen.”

Eldora is about an 80-mile drive northeast of Des Moines.

This story was originally published May 21, 2024 at 6:11 AM with the headline "12-year-old playing with gun accidentally kills 13-year-old friend, Iowa officials say."