The incident occurred on Sunday night at a home on Laverne Drive in Colerain Township, Ohio. According to reports, Demarian was at his friend’s house when the accident happened. The boy was rushed to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
In an emotional interview with WKRC, Demarian’s mother spoke about the loss of her son, describing him as a bright, kind, and loving individual who was everything she could have asked for in a child. “He was smart, he was loving, and he was everything to me. More than I could have ever imagined in a son,” she said, her voice heavy with grief.
Demarian’s best friend, a 16-year-old whose name has not been released, was the one who called 911 after the shooting, frantically explaining to dispatchers that he had accidentally shot his friend. “I shot him in the back of the head on accident,” the 16-year-old said, his voice trembling. “My friend had a .22 long rifle. There was a bullet in, right, and you need to shoot it to prime it, and I didn’t know it was primed, and I had it, and I accidentally pulled the trigger,” he explained, told The Mirror.
The 16-year-old, who was visibly distressed during the call, told dispatchers that he was doing everything he could to keep Demarian alive, pleading with his friend to “fight and push through.” In a heart-wrenching moment, he could be heard apologizing repeatedly for the tragic accident. He also admitted to the dispatcher that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Authorities have determined that the shooting was accidental in nature, and the 16-year-old is not being charged with reckless homicide. The case has been deeply painful for both families, as the two boys were best friends and had known each other for years.
Demarian was set to start his sophomore year at Northwest High School, located in Colerain Township, about 20 miles north of Cincinnati. The Northwest Local School District released a statement expressing their sorrow over the loss of one of their students and offering counseling services to help the school community cope with the tragedy.
“NWLSD Staff and Families, it is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of one of our students, Demarian Palmisano. Demarian tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting last night. He was set to start his sophomore year at Northwest High School this upcoming school year,” the district said in a statement.
The school district has made counseling resources available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and has assured students, faculty, staff, and the community that these resources will remain available for as long as they are needed. The district is also reportedly working on a memorial to honor Demarian’s memory, with more details to be announced soon.
“This loss has left our school community heartbroken,” the district’s statement continued. “In times like these, we must come together to support and comfort one another. We encourage our students to lean on a trusted adult as they navigate the complex emotions this tragedy may bring. Please know that our staff is here to support our students and each other during this incredibly difficult time.”
The statement concluded with a message of unity and support: “We stand with our Knights and our entire Northwest Local School District Family as we grieve the loss of one of our own. As always, we are #OneNWLSD.”
According to a report by Mirror, a GoFundMe page was established by a family friend of the Palmisanos to help the family through this difficult and unimaginable time. The fundraiser had a goal of $5,000 and had already reached nearly $3,500 by Tuesday evening. The funds will be used to assist the family with funeral expenses and other needs as they navigate this heartbreaking period.
The tragic accident has left an indelible mark on the community, as friends, family, and neighbors come together to support the Palmisanos during their time of grief. Demarian’s death is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of gun safety, particularly when it comes to young people handling firearms.
As the community mourns the loss of Demarian, his mother’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the bright future that was cut short. “He was my everything,” she said. “More than I could ever ask for.”