ASHBURN, Mo. — An 18-year-old was shot and killed Sunday morning while hunting ducks at the Ted Shanks Conservation Area outside of Ashburn, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Pike County Sheriff's Department.
Trent Busch's mother, Tanika Busch, told 5 On Your Side her son was with two close friends when the shooting happened, and that her son would "never in his life be upset with his friend for this."
"We stand with the friends that were with him because that’s what Trent would want us to do," she said. "I want my son to be honored.
"He brought good to this world and that’s what will stay."
The teen was a Winfield High School senior.
"Trent was a tremendous young man who will be sorely missed by our staff, students, and community," District Superintendent Rod Hamlett wrote. "He was loved by students and staff and his loss leaves a hole in our hearts that will never be filled."
Busch was hunting waterfowl at the conservation area in Pike Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation said. Officials did not share the identities of the other members of the hunting group.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is leading the investigation and calling it a Class A Hunting Incident. Department Chief Randy Doman said that all evidence currently points to the death being a tragic hunting incident.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim's family and the other families involved in this incident," Doman said.
Trent Busch's mother said her son overcame tragedy in his young life when he survived a UTV accident about two years ago. One of his arms had to be amputated below the elbow, and he defied those who said he could never be a goalie again for his soccer team by playing his junior year.
"He didn't play his senior year because he said he had been there done that and proved to everyone he could do it," Takika Busch said.
His passion was welding, and he had started taking classes at Pike Lincoln Technical Center, his mother said.
"He was one of their top students even though he only had one hand," Tanika said, adding that he worked as a welder at Brooks Brothers Trailer Company. "Everything was cut too short.
"I have to believe there is a reason. I don't know it now, but maybe one day I will."
Pike County Sheriff's Department deputies also responded to the scene to assist.
Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte sent a statement to 5 On Your Side, which read: "Preliminary findings are that this was an accident with no malicious intent."
Missouri has had one hunting fatality every year for the past five years, except for in 2020, MDC officials said.
The Winfield School District is offering additional counseling services to all of its students and staff, according to district officials.
Jill Johler was Busch's principal for the past two years. She described him as a "character," and called him her "sunshine."
"He would intentionally wear a baseball cap that he knew he wasn't supposed to wear, and he would put it on just in time for you to see it, and you would just kind of look at him, and he would start laughing, and then he would take it off," she said. "I mean, that's just his personality.
"It was just, 'Hey, remember me? I'm here. I got you to smile.' That's just the kind of kid he was."
Johler said Busch was a soccer player with plans to attend the Pike Lincoln Technical Center.
"The Trent I knew just kind of made the building a better place," she said. "You always have those students who, when they're not here, you know that they're not here because their sparkle isn't in the building.
"He was one of those kids. His presence is going to be missed for sure."
Johler said Busch's family also wants to see something good come from this tragedy, so she also wants to convey a message about the importance of safety while hunting.
"He was just a great young man doing what he loved, and we want to make sure that everybody gets to enjoy it in a safe fashion, so that nothing like this ever happens again," Johler said.
Trent is survived by his parents, and 8-year-old brother Jake.
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