Teenage boy dies in hospital after shooting incident in Neerim East
UPDATE: FRIENDS have paid tribute to their much-loved larrikin mate who died in hospital after a shooting in Victoria’s east at the weekend.
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FRIENDS have paid tribute to their much-loved larrikin mate who died in hospital after a shooting in Victoria’s east at the weekend.
Dustin Buckley, 17, was with a group of friends in the Neerim East State Forest when he was shot in the head on Sunday.
Tributes and photos have poured in on social media for “Dusty”, who lived with family on a property in the nearby small town of Nayook.
Devastated mates said the teen was a “legend” who had been taken too soon.
“The love for this mate is unspeakable ... love you brother,” Matt Ward wrote.
Jake Ward said: “Best mate I ever had.”
Bill McLean said he would always love his friend.
“Still remember when you called me over to sit next to ya one week into first year of high school,” he wrote.
“Drink a can for me brother.”
The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation but it’s understood police are considering the theory that the group had been hunting before Dustin was struck by a stray bullet which ricocheted off another object.
The Herald Sun understands the boy from Nayook, near Neerim East, was in the forest with two others, including his cousin when the incident happened about 1.30pm on Sunday.
The incident happened near Memory Lane, an off-road track deep in the Neerim East Forest.
He was flown to hospital on Sunday and died yesterday.
Locals described the area as a popular hunting spot.